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
Synonyms:
Other Word Forms of Compunction
Noun
Singular:
compunction
Plural:
compunctionsOrigin of Compunction
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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
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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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