a. [ad. L. condolēntem, pr. pple. of condolēre: see CONDOLE and -ENT. But in Caxton perh. repr. F. condoulant, -dolant, from condouloir.]
† 1. Sorrowing greatly. Obs.
c. 1460. Play Sacram., 746. Wt Condolent harte & grete sorowyng.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xxii. (1890), 78. Swete charite condolaunt ouer them that ben affliged.
† b. Expressing sorrow. Obs.
1691. Wood, Ath. Oxon. (R.). His vein for ditty and amorous ode was esteemed most lofty, condolent and passionate.
2. Sorrowing for another, compassionate; expressing sympathetic grief.
1598. Yong, Diana, 380. To make thy selfe compassionate and condolent for my tender yeeres.
1763. Johnson, Lett. to Miss Porter, 12 April, in Boswell. The newspaper has informed me of the death of Captain Porter. I know not what to say to you condolent or consolatory.
1787. Winter, Syst. Husb., 223. Its dam near it, in a seeming condolent manner, bewailing the situation of its offspring.
