commiseration

2 definitions found

commiseration - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Commiseration \Com*mis`er*a"tion\, n. [F. commis['e]ration, fr.
     L. commiseratio a part of an oration intended to excite
     compassion.]
     The act of commiserating; sorrow for the wants, afflictions,
     or distresses of another; pity; compassion.
     [1913 Webster]
  
           And pluck commiseration of his state
           From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint. --Shak.
  
     Syn: See Sympathy.
          [1913 Webster]

commiseration - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  commiseration
      n 1: a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of
           others; "the blind are too often objects of pity" [syn:
           commiseration, pity, ruth, pathos]
      2: an expression of sympathy with another's grief; "they sent
         their condolences" [syn: condolence, commiseration]