The Collaborative International Dictionary
Tragi-comic \Trag`i-com"ic\, Tragi-comical \Trag`i-com"ic*al\, a. [Cf. F. tragi-comique.] Of or pertaining to tragi-comedy; partaking of grave and comic scenes. -- Trag`-com"ic*al*ly, adv.
Julian felt toward him that tragi-comic sensation which
makes us pity the object which excites it not the less
that we are somewhat inclined to laugh amid our
sympathy.
--Sir W.
Scott.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"both serious and tragic," 1680s; see from tragi-comedy + -ic. Related: Tragi-comical (1560s).
Usage examples of "tragi-comic".
They could have sold a million "Babyfaces," a tragi-comic figure consisting of a sweet-faced babydoll head, with a damaged eye, and all its hair ripped out to the roots, jammed onto a spider body made out of Erector Set parts.