Wiktionary

compassion

English edit

Etymology edit

From Middle English compassioun, compassion, from Old French compassion, from Ecclesiastical Latin compassio (“sympathy”), from Latin compati, past participle compassus (“to suffer together with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion.

Pronunciation edit

  • (UK, US) IPA(key): /kəmˈpæʃ.ən/
  • Rhymes: -æʃən
  • Audio (US)(file)

Noun edit

compassion (usually uncountable, plural compassions)

  1. Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.
    • 1849, Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)
      Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions, and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.
    • 1977, David Byrne (lyrics and music), “No Compassion”, in Talking Heads: 77, performed by Talking Heads:
      Other people's problems, they overwhelm my mind / They say compassion is a virtue, but I don't have the time
    • 2002, Werner J. Krieglstein, Compassion: A New Philosophy of the Other‎[1], page 149:
      In many ways, people today lack compassion as a way to internalize and experience the inner soul of the other person, animals, and the universe. We need to reintroduce compassion so humanity may survive.
    • 2008, Richard Reilly, Ethics of Compassion: Bridging Ethical Theory and Religious Moral Discourse‎[2], page 1:
      Ethics of compassion are grounded in one's mindful commitment to one's own happiness with the recognition that the well being that one wishes for oneself also is wished for by others.
    • 2020 January 28, “My Understanding Of What It Means to Be Compassionate”, in Minghui‎[3]:
      From Master's words, I understand that having compassion does not mean allowing people to take advantage of us. We can be kind but we should uphold moral values.

Synonyms edit

Derived terms edit

Related terms edit

Translations edit

Verb edit

compassion (third-person singular simple present compassions, present participle compassioning, simple past and past participle compassioned)

  1. (obsolete) To pity.
    • c. 1588–1593 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Lamentable Tragedy of Titus Andronicus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i], line 124:
      O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?
    • 1830, “The Last of the Supernaturalists”, in James Fraser, editor, Fraser's Magazine, volume 1, page 226:
      Both wanted in early life the one thing essential to every individual, of whatever nature or degree of intellect, a kind, compassioning adviser; - a true friend; […] .
    • 1836, William A. Brewer, The Widow's Son, in Recreations of a Merchant; Or, The Christian Sketch-book‎[4], page 27:
      The widow's tears flowed wildly. / But Oh! a harbinger of life approached — / God, manifest in flesh — compassioned her, / And bade her weep no more.

Further reading edit

French edit

 
French Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia fr

Etymology edit

Learned borrowing from Ecclesiastical Latin compassiō, from Latin compatior (“to suffer with”).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /kɔ̃.pa.sjɔ̃/, /kɔ̃.pɑ.sjɔ̃/
  • Audio(file)

Noun edit

compassion f (plural compassions)

  1. compassion, pity

Related terms edit

Further reading edit

Middle English edit

Noun edit

compassion

  1. Alternative form of compassioun
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