Main Entry:

com·punc·tion

Pronunciation:

\kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən\

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 <compunctions 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 \-shəs\ adjective