English Dictionary

Definition of “compassion

compassion (kəmˈpæʃənPronunciation for compassion

Definitions

noun

  1. a feeling of distress and pity for the suffering or misfortune of another, often including the desire to alleviate it

Word Origin

C14: from Old French, from Late Latin compassiō  fellow feeling, from compatī  to suffer with, from Latin com-  with + patī to bear, suffer

Usage examples

  • There was deep compassion in the very blue eyes looking down at her.
    Brent-Dyer, Elinor, Challenge for the Chalet School (1991)
  • People who drag out and shoot their own animals at will have ZERO integrity playing the compassion card about the future of the hounds.
    Country Life (2005)
  • His writing has a distanced, slightly fastidious tone, although we are never in much doubt about his compassion for his characters.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Nicole Fontaine, the president of the European Parliament, appealed to Australia to show compassion.
    Glasgow Herald (2001)
  • But if we do not grasp or reject anything there is freedom from all conditions, and wisdom and compassion come into play.
    Diana St Ruth, KARMA, REINCARNATION AND REBIRTH: How Karma Affects Our Life, Our Personality, and Our Future (2002)

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