compunction
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com·punc·tion (kəm puŋk′s̸hən)
noun
- a sharp feeling of uneasiness brought on by a sense of guilt; remorse
- a feeling of slight regret for something done
Etymology: 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
Related Forms:
- compunctious com·punc′·tious adjective
- compunctiously com·punc′·tiously adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
compunction
n.
A sense of guilt or remorse
remorse, contrition, shame; see regret 1, repentance, shame 2.A twinge of uneasiness or pity
misgiving, qualm, hesitation; see qualm 1, regret 1. See syn. study at qualm, repentance.
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Converse of object
- feel: Yet why should I feel any compunction about my family, I might well ask.
Adjective modifier
- little: However there is little compunction on developed countries to follow the same advice.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
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MLA Style
"compunction." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 4 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/compunction>
APA Style
compunction. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 4th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/compunction

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