compunction
com·punc·tion
noun \kəm-ˈpəŋ(k)-shən\Definition of COMPUNCTION
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>
— com·punc·tious \-shəs\ adjective
Examples of COMPUNCTION
- a brutal murderer who killed without compunction
- He feels no compunction about his crimes.
- He has no compunctions about his crimes.
Origin of COMPUNCTION
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
First Known Use: 14th century
Rhymes with COMPUNCTION
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