Rue·ful a.
1. Causing one to rue or lament; woeful; mournful; sorrowful.
2. Expressing sorrow. “Rueful faces.”
Two rueful figures, with long black cloaks. --Sir W. Scott.
-- Rue*ful*ly, adv. -- Rue*ful*ness, n.
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ruefully
adv : in a rueful manner; "`I made a big mistake,' he said
ruefully" [syn: contritely, remorsefully]