COMPUNCTION


Meaning of COMPUNCTION in English

n.

Pronunciation: k ə m- ' p ə ŋ (k)-sh ə n

Function: 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 \ -sh ə s \ adjective

Merriam Webster Collegiate English Dictionary.      Merriam Webster - Энциклопедический словарь английского языка.