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n. Deep awareness of the suffering of another accompanied by 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 the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] com·passion·less adj. |
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