Also 4–5 -ioun, -ione, 4–6 -yon, 5 compascyon. [a. F. compassion (14th c. in Littré), ad. late L. compassiōn-em (Tertullian, Jerome), n. of action f. compati (ppl. stem compass-) to suffer together with, feel pity, f. com- together with + pati to suffer.]
† 1. Suffering together with another, participation in suffering; fellow-feeling, sympathy. Obs.
1340. Ayenb., 148. Huanne on leme is zik oþer y-wonded . hou moche zorȝe heþ þe herte and grat compassion y-uelþ.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., V. i. (1495), 100. The membres ben so sette togyders that … euery hath compassyon of other.
1561. Eden, Arte de Nauig., Pref. Such a mutuall compassion of parte to parte … by one common sence existent in them all.
1625. Gill, Sacr. Philos., IV. 63. That it was onely by a vegetable or animall soule, which suffered by compassion with the body.
2. The feeling or emotion, when a person is moved by the suffering or distress of another, and by the desire to relieve it; pity that inclines one to spare or to succor. Const. on (of obs.).
(The compassion of sense 1 was between equals or fellow-sufferers; this is shown towards a person in distress by one who is free from it, who is, in this respect, his superior.)
c. 1340. Hampole, Prose Tr., 36. Þou may thynke of synnes and of wrechidnes of thyne euencristene … with pete and of compassione of thaym.
1535. Coverdale, Joel ii. 12. The Lorde … is … longe sufferynge & of greate compassion.
1591. Shaks., 1 Hen. VI., IV. i. 56. Mou’d with compassion of my Countries wracke.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., IX. (1682), 386. In Compassion whereof the worthy Gentleman doubled his Wages.
1676. Hobbes, Iliad, I. 23. You on me compassion may show.
1770. Junius’ Lett., xxxvi. 170. You have every claim to compassion that can arise from misery and distress.
1823. Southey, Hist. Penins. War, I. 352. In compassion to her grief, and in answer to her prayers.
1876. Mozley, Univ. Serm., vii. 148. Compassion … gives the person who feels it pleasure even in the very act of ministering to and succouring pain.
† b. with plural. Obs. or arch.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 262. All the compassyons & mercyes that thou shewed to the people.
1611. Bible, Lam. iii. 22. His compassions faile not.
1787. Whitaker, Mary Q. Scots Vind., in H. Campbell, Love-Lett. Mary (1824), 263. All the little jealousies of the rival will surely melt away in the compassions of the woman.
c. To have compassion: to have pity, take pity. So † To take compassion (upon, of).
1382. Wyclif, Heb. x. 34. For whi and to boundun men ȝe hadden compassioun.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 390, Prol. And han of pore folk compassioun.
1483. Caxton, Cato, C iv. I haue grete ruthe and compassion on you.
1590. Marlowe, Edw. II., Wks. (Rtldg.), 210/2. Thy heart … Could not but take compassion of my state!
1611. Bible, Ex. ii. 6. She had compassion on him.
1647. W. Browne, Polex., I. 164. I … besought him not so to have compassion of a daughter whom he had made miserable.
1714. Mandeville, Fab. Bees (1725), I. 290. Humanity bids us have compassion with the sufferings of others.
1841. Lane, Arab. Nts., I. 104. Have compassion on the mighty whom love hath abased.
† 3. Sorrowful emotion, sorrow, grief. Obs.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 23945, heading (Fairf.). Compassioun of our lauedi for þe passioun of hir sone.
1488. Caxton, Chast. Goddes Chyld., 7. Teres of compascyon, teres of compunccion, teres of loue and of deuocyon.
1590. Spenser, F. Q., I. iii. 6. Her hart gan melt in great compassion; And drizling teares did shed for pure affection.
