compunction

  • 1Compunction — Com*punc tion, n. [OF. compunction, F. componction, L. compunctio, fr. compungere, compunctum, to prick; com + pungere to prick, sting. See {Pungent}.] 1. A pricking; stimulation. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] That acid and piercing spirit which, with… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2compunction — mid 14c., from O.Fr. compunction (12c., Mod.Fr. componction), from L.L. compunctionem (nom. compunctio) remorse; a pricking (of conscience), noun of action from compunct , pp. stem of L. compungere to severely prick, sting, from com , intensive… …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 3compunction — ► NOUN ▪ a feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows wrongdoing: he felt no compunction in letting her worry. DERIVATIVES compunctious adjective. ORIGIN Latin, from compungere prick sharply …

    English terms dictionary

  • 4compunction — [kəm puŋk′shən] n. [ME compunccion < OFr compunction < LL compunctio, a pricking (in LL(Ec), the pricking of conscience) < L compunctus, pp. of compungere, to prick, sting < com , intens. + pungere, to prick: see POINT] 1. a sharp… …

    English World dictionary

  • 5Compunction — (v. lat.), Zerknirschung, höchster Grad der Reue …

    Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • 6Compunction — Compunction, lat., Zerknirschung, Reue …

    Herders Conversations-Lexikon

  • 7compunction — index conscience, qualm, remorse, responsibility (conscience), scruple Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 8compunction — 1 remorse, *penitence, repentance, contrition, attrition Analogous words: regret, *sorrow: conscientiousness, scrupulousness or scrupulosity (see corresponding adjectives at UPRIGHT) 2 scruple, demur, *qualm Analogous words: * …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 9compunction — [n] regret, sorrow attrition, conscience, contrition, misgiving, penitence, penitency, pity, punctiliousness, qualm, reluctance, remorse, repentance, rue, ruth, second thoughts, shame, stab of conscience, sympathy; concept 410 Ant. defiance,… …

    New thesaurus

  • 10compunction — Compunction, ou Remors de conscience, Morsus et contractiunculae auium, Synteresis …

    Thresor de la langue françoyse