different between compassion vs consolation

English

Etymology

From Middle English compassioun, compassion, from Old French compassion, from Ecclesiastical Latin compassio (“sympathy”), from Latin compati, past participle compassus (“to suffer together with”), from com- (“together”) + pati (“to suffer”); see passion.

Pronunciation

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /k?m?pæ?.?n/
• Rhymes: -æ??n

Noun

compassion (usually uncountable, plural compassions)

1. Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.
   • 1849, Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)

     Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions, and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.

Synonyms

• (deep awareness of another's suffering): empathy, mercy, ruth, pity, sorrow, tenderheartedness
• (desire to relieve another's suffering): kindness, heart, mercy, ruth, tenderheartedness

Derived terms

• compassionable
• compassionate
• compassion fatigue

Related terms

• compatible
• passion

Translations

Verb

compassion (third-person singular simple present compassions, present participle compassioning, simple past and past participle compassioned)

1. (obsolete) To pity.
   • 1607, William Shakespeare, The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus, IV. i. 124:

     O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?

   • 1830, The Last of the Supernaturalists, in James Fraser (editor), Fraser's Magazine, Volume 1, page 226,

     Both wanted in early life the one thing essential to every individual, of whatever nature or degree of intellect, a kind, compassioning adviser; - a true friend; […] .

Further reading

• compassion in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• compassion in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Ecclesiastical Latin compassi?, compassi?nem, from Latin compatior.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??.pa.sj??/

Noun

compassion f (plural compassions)

1. compassion, pity

Related terms

• compatir
• passion

Further reading

• “compassion” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Middle English

Noun

compassion

1. Alternative form of compassioun

English

Etymology

From Old French consolacion (French consolation), from Latin c?ns?l?ti?, from the deponent verb c?ns?lor (“I console, encourage”) with the -ti? suffix, while c?ns?lor comprises the intensifying prefix con- with the deponent verb s?lor (“I comfort, console”). Doublet of consolatio.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?k?n.s??le?.??n/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?k?n.s??le?.??n/
• Rhymes: -e???n
• Hyphenation: con?so?la?tion

Noun

consolation (countable and uncountable, plural consolations)

1. The act of consoling.
2. The prize or benefit for the loser.
3. (sports) A consolation goal.

Translations

See also

• solace

French

Etymology

From Latin c?ns?l?ti?.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /k??.s?.la.sj??/

Noun

consolation f (plural consolations)

1. consolation

Related terms

• consoler

Further reading

• “consolation” in Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).