Also 7 comiserate, -at, -misserate. [f. L. commiserāt- ppl. stem of commiserā-ri in same sense, f. com- + miserā-ri (ante- and post-class. -āre) to bewail, lament, pity, f. miser wretched, lamentable.)
1. trans. To feel, show, or express pity or compassion for the wretched or unfortunate, or a misfortune): to bewail, pity, compassionate. Also absol.
1606. Warner, Alb. Eng., XIV. lxxxvi. (1612), 355. The valerous Romaine President, commiserating her.
1611. Rich, Honest. Age (1844), 59. Here is now a theft committed, and a direct breach of Gods commandement yet to be comiserated.
1633. Heywood, Eng. Trav., V. Wks. 1874, IV. 94. I know you all commiserate my losse.
1706. Maule, Hist. Picts, in Misc. Scot., I. 35. This great victory … did move the Birtains more to commiserate than to fear.
1790. Beatson, Nav. & Mil. Mem., II. 93. His present Majesty … commiserating his case, restored him.
1858. J. G. Holland, Titcomb’s Lett., vii. 226. Profoundly to be commiserated is that child who looks back upon his home as upon a prison-house.
1871. H. Ainsworth, Tower Hill, III. xxvii. She did not exult in her rival’s fall, but, on the contrary, commiserated her.
2. To express sympathy with, condole with.
1655. Gouge, Comm. Heb. ii. 18. It is expedient that Ministers of Gods Word be men of like passions with others … that so they may more commiserate others.
1708. Ockley, Saracens (1848), 406. Muslim … was the first that died on Hosein’s side, and Hosein went and commiserated him at his last gasp.
1767. Fordyce, Serm. Yng. Wom. (ed. 4), II. xi. 225. The aptitude … to commiserate and comfort.
Hence Commiserating vbl. sb. and ppl. a.; Commiseratingly adv., with commiseration.
a. 1638. Mede, Wks., I. xxxvii. (R.). What a gentle and commiserating judge God is.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, V. ii. (1840), 245. The beholding of the Templars’ torments … wrought in the people … a commiserating of their persons.
1827. Foster, in Life & Corr. (1846), II. 127. I should feel something very like a commiserating sympathy.
1861. G. Meredith, Evan Harrington, I. x. 184. ‘Poor Jack!’ Evan interjected commiseratingly.
1888. Farjeon, Miser Farebrother, I. xi. 148. He gazed commiseratingly at Mr. Linton.
