n.
Pronunciation: k ə m- ' pa-sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French or Late Latin; Anglo-French, from Late Latin compassion-, compassio, from compati to sympathize, from Latin com- + pati to bear, suffer ― more at PATIENT
Date: 14th century
: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it
synonyms see PITY
– com · pas · sion · less \ -l ə s \ adjective