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compassion

n. · v.
US //kəmˈpæʃən// UK //kəmpˈæʃən// com·pas·sion
  1. 1 sympathy for others (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Psychology

    a feeling of pity and concern for others who are suffering, along with a wish to help them.

    an empathetic awareness of others' distress combined with a desire to alleviate it. Uncountable in general usage.

    Example

    The nurse showed great compassion while caring for the elderly patients.

    Example

    The humanitarian organisation was founded on the principle of universal compassion for those displaced by armed conflict.
  2. 2 kindness toward oneself (n.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Psychology

    being kind and understanding toward yourself when you suffer or fail.

    the practice of extending kindness and understanding to oneself during instances of perceived inadequacy or suffering.

    Example

    Learning to have compassion for your own mistakes is important for mental health.

    Example

    Psychologists often advocate for self-compassion as a healthier alternative to relentless self-criticism in high-pressure environments.
    • self kindness
    • self criticism
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  1. 3 to feel pity (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Archaic Literary

    to feel sorry for someone.

    to feel or show pity toward another person. This verbal use is no longer found in contemporary English.

    Example

    In the old story, the king began to compassion the poor beggar.

    Example

    The poet wrote of how the heavens might compassion the plight of the fallen hero.
Origin

From Middle English compassioun, compassion, from Old French compassion, from Ecclesiastical Latin compassio (“sympathy”), from Latin compati, past participle compassus (“to suffer together with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion.

Word family

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