A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 1983 (DOST Vol. V).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Pitous, a. Also: pitt- and -ows, -ouse. [ME. pito(u)s (1297), pitus, -ouse, pytous (14th c.), e.m.E. pytous (once, Caxton), AF. pitous, OF. pitos (1160 in Greimas), piteus (13th c.). Cf. med. L. pietosus, Piteous a., Pituous a., Petous a.] a. Deserving pity. = Petuo(u)s a. 1, Piteous a. 1. b. Full of pity. = Petuo(u)s a. 2, Piteous a. 2. c. Either a or b above. —a. a1500 Henr. Orph. 349 (Ch. & M.) (see Petuo(u)s a. 1 (2)).
Pitouse —b. 1456 Hay I. 299/35.
He suld be charitable and pitous to pure peple Ib. II. 95/30.
Bot be ay mercifull and pitous apon thame that [etc.] —c. c1475 Wall. ii. 161.
The playne compleynt the pittows wementyng … that was for his takyng a1500 Quare Jel. 95.
With that sche sichit with a rycht pitouse chere
