Compunction Definition

kəm-pŭngkshən
compunctions
noun
compunctions
A sharp feeling of uneasiness brought on by a sense of guilt; remorse.
Webster's New World
A sting of conscience or a pang of doubt aroused by wrongdoing or the prospect of wrongdoing.
American Heritage
A feeling of slight regret for something done.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Compunction

Noun

Singular:
compunction
Plural:
compunctions

Origin of Compunction

  • Middle English compunccioun from Old French componction from Late Latin compūnctiō compūnctiōn- puncture, sting of conscience from Latin compūnctus past participle of compungere to sting com- intensive pref. com– pungere to prick peuk- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Middle English, from Old French, from Late Latin, compunctionem (“a pricking”), from Latin compunctus, the past participle of compungere (“to severely prick”), from com- + pungere (“to prick”).

    From Wiktionary

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