Question

compunction

Accepted Answer

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionarycom·punc·tion \kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən\ noun ETYMOLOGY Middle English compunccioun, from Anglo-French compunction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compungere to prick hard, sting, from com- + pungere to prick — more at pungent DATE 14th century1. a. anxiety arising from awareness of guilt compunctions of conscience b. distress of mind over an anticipated action or result showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of…destruction — Havelock Ellis2. a twinge of misgiving : scruple cheated without compunctionSynonyms: see penitence, qualm• com·punc·tious \-shəs\ adjectiveEnglish Etymologycompunction mid-14c., from O.Frhttp://O.Fr. compunction (12c.), from L.L.compunctionem (nom. compunctio) "a pricking" (of conscience), from L. compunctus, pp. of compungere "to severely prick, sting," from com- intensive prefix + pungere "to prick" (see pungent). Used in figurative sense by early Church writers. Originally a much more intense feeling, similar to "remorse," or "contrition."Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary-牛津双解-OALD7compunctioncom·punc·tion / kEm5pQNkFn / noun[U] (also [C] in NAmE 北美英语亦作可数名词) ~ (about doing sth) (formal) a guilty feeling about doing sth 内疚；愧疚: She felt no compunction about leaving her job. 她对她的辞职一点儿也不感到懊悔。 He had lied to her without compunction. 他向她撒了谎却毫无愧疚。 (US) She has no compunctions about rejecting the plan. 她对拒绝那个计划丝毫也不后悔。 OLTcompunction noun⇨ doubt 2Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridgedcom·punc·tion\kəmˈpəŋ(k)shən\ noun(-s)Etymology: Middle English compunctioun, from Middle French componction, from Late Latin compunction-, compunctio, from Latin compunctus (past participle of compungere to prick hard, sting from com- + pungere to prick, sting) + -ion-, -io -ion — more at pungent1. a. : anxiety of spirit arising from consciousness of sin : deep unease caused by knowledge of guilt < compunctions of conscience > b. : normal human regret, pity, or anxiety : remorse < he showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of military destruction — Havelock Ellis > c. : a twinge of uneasiness : scruple < cheating without compunction >2. archaic : compassionate sorrow : pitySynonyms: see penitence, scruple

Compunction From Latin Noun From Prick C Com·Punc·Tion