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