compunction

[ kuhm-puhngk-shuhn ]

noun

1. a feeling of uneasiness or anxiety of the conscience caused by regret for doing wrong or causing pain; contrition; remorse.
2. any uneasiness or hesitation about the rightness of an action.

compunction

/ kəmˈpʌŋkʃən /

noun

1. a feeling of remorse, guilt, or regret

Derived Forms

• comˈpunctiously, adverb
• comˈpunctious, adjective

Other Words From

• com·punction·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of compunction¹

1350–1400; Middle English compunccion (< Anglo-French ) < Late Latin compūnctiōn- (stem of compūnctiō ), equivalent to Latin compūnct ( us ), past participle of compungere to prick severely ( com- com- + pungere to prick; point ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of compunction¹

C14: from Church Latin compunctiō, from Latin compungere to sting, from com- (intensive) + pungere to puncture; see point