Ruth
/ruːθ/noun
Compassion or pity, especially sorrowful pity for another's suffering.
Did you know?The English word survived mainly in older and literary usage, but it is famously tied to the biblical Book of Ruth, whose name is traditionally linked to Hebrew roots meaning “friend” or “companion.”
Etymological Timeline
Biblical Hebrew
Heb
rūṯ
“A personal name, traditionally associated with companionship or friendship”
Old English
OE
rūð
“Pity, compassion, or sorrow”
Middle English
ME
ruth
“Pity, compassion, or grief”
Modern English
English
ruth
“Archaic or literary word for pity or compassion”