compassion English · revision 14896

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1340|origins=la patior}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /kəmˈpæʃ.ən/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|compassioun]], [[bor|fro|compassion|t=sympathy, pity]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) from [[la-lat|compassiō|t=fellow feeling]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(NODE 1998)^(Collins 2023) a loan translation of [[grc|συμπάθεια|tr=sumpátheia]] (see [[sympathy]]),^(Barnhart 1988) formed from [[m|la-lat|compatior|t=to suffer with, feel pity]], from [[la|com-|t=with]] and [[m|la|patior|t=to suffer]] (see [[patient]] and [[passion]]).^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Suffering together with another, sharing in suffering: 1340, in the Ayenbite of Inwyt.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The feeling of pity for someone in distress is recorded from about 1340,^(OED 1989) as is an obsolete sense, sorrow or grief.^(OED 1989) ''To have compassion'', to take pity, is from 1382.^(OED 1989) A verb compassion, to pity, appears in 1588 but was scarcely ever in use.^(OED 1989) The adjective compassionate is from the 16th century.^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1340 – suffering together.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1340 – pity for another.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1382 – to have compassion.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1588 – to compassion (verb, rare).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A deep awareness of another's suffering, together with the wish to relieve it; [[pity]] and [[sympathy]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[compassionless]]

+ * [[compassionate]]

+ * [[compassion fatigue]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[compatible]]

+ * [[passion]]

+ * [[patient]]

+ * [[sympathy]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}