Why does pitying mean?

pitying definition:

to feel sadness or sympathy for someone's unhappiness or bad situation.

Sentence examples:

•I pity anyone who's never been in love

•he's deeply unhappy, and more to be pitied than criticized.

•i pity you having to put up with her at work.

Synonyms:

•compassionate

•condoling

•sympathizing

•tender

•understanding

•all heart

•responsive

•commiserative

•condolatory

•sensitive

•soft

•soft hearted

•supportive

•thoughtful

•sympathetic

antonyms:

•hard

origin:

1175-1225; middle English pite < old French pite, earlier pitet< Latin pietat - (stem of pietas) piety.