[kuh
m-pash-uhn] 
| 1. | a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. |
| 2. | Archaic. to compassionate. |
| com·pas·sion (kəm-pāsh'ən) n. Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it. See Synonyms at pity. [Middle English compassioun, from Late Latin compassiō, compassiōn-, from compassus, past participle of compatī, to sympathize : Latin com-, com- + Latin patī, to suffer; see pē(i)- in Indo-European roots.] com·pas'sion·less adj. |