compassion

EtymologyEdit

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

PronunciationEdit

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /kəmˈpæʃ.ən/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -æʃən

NounEdit

compassion (uncountable)

1. Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it

SynonymsEdit

• empathy, pity, ruth, tenderheartedness, sorrow
• kindness, heart, mercy

Derived termsEdit

• compassionate
• compassion fatigue

Related termsEdit

• compatible

TranslationsEdit

VerbEdit

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

1. (obsolete) To pity.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Shakespeare to this entry?)

External linksEdit

• compassion in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• compassion in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911

French Wikipedia has an article on:

Compassion

Wikipedia ^fr

PronunciationEdit

• Audio

  (file)

NounEdit

compassion f (plural compassions)

1. compassion, pity