COMPUNCTION


Meaning of COMPUNCTION in English

transcription, транскрипция: [ 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 century

1.

a. : anxiety arising from awareness of guilt

compunction s of conscience

b. : distress of mind over an anticipated action or result

showed no compunction in planning devilish engines of…destruction — Havelock Ellis

2. : a twinge of misgiving : scruple

cheated without compunction

Synonyms: see penitence , qualm

• com·punc·tious -shəs adjective

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.