The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 4 letter word PITY
I've seen this crossword clue in Independent
P
I
T
Y
More clues leading to the result PITY
- Shame's mine and yours, but not ours
- Feel sorry for mine, and yours at first
- Matter for regret in mine, last of many
- Shame city centre's controlled by party extremists
- Compassion? Heartless party will suppress it
- Ruth affected by pockmarks, we hear?
- Devoutness lacking core element is source of disappointment
- Ruth‘s mine and yours, at first
- “Stop it!” Youngsters do show shame
- Ruth‘s heartless devotion
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "source of disappointment" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case source of disappointment = pity.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does PITY mean?
PITY noun- A feeling of sympathy at the misfortune or suffering of someone or something.
- Something regrettable.
- Piety.
- To feel pity for (someone or something).
- To make (someone) feel pity; to provoke the sympathy or compassion of.
- Short form of what a pity.