condolence

condolence
\ \ [17] Condolence and sympathy are parallel formations: both go back to classical originals (late Latin condolēre and Greek sumpátheia respectively) which meant literally ‘together-suffering’. Latin condolēre was a compound verb formed from the prefix com- ‘together’ and dolēresuffer pain’ (source of English dolour and doleful). This entered English in the 16th century as the now seldom encountered verb condole, but the comparative frequency of the noun condolence is probably due to the early 17th-century adoption of French condoléance (the spelling condoleance was common in English in the 17th and 18th centuries).
\ \ Cf.DOLEFUL, DOLOUR

Word origins - 2ed. . 2005.

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  • Condolence — Con*do lence, n. [Cf. F. condol[ e]ance.] Expression of sympathy with another in sorrow or grief. [1913 Webster] Their congratulations and their condolences. Steele. [1913 Webster] A special mission of condolence. Macaulay. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • condolence — index pity, solace Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • condolence — c.1600, from L.L. condolere to suffer together (see CONDOLE (Cf. condole)) + ENCE (Cf. ence). Often in form condoleance 1600 1800 …   Etymology dictionary

  • condolence — *sympathy, pity, commiseration, compassion, ruth, empathy Analogous words: consoling or consolation, solacing or solace, comforting (see corresponding verbs at COMFORT) Contrasted words: felicitation, congratulation (see corresponding verbs at… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • condolence — [n] sympathy comfort, commiseration, compassion, condolement, consolation, fellow feeling, solace; concept 633 …   New thesaurus

  • condolence — ► NOUN ▪ an expression of sympathy, especially on the occasion of a death …   English terms dictionary

  • condolence — [kən dō′ləns] n. [< LL(Ec) condolens: see CONDOLE] [often pl.] expression of sympathy with another in grief: also condolement SYN. PITY …   English World dictionary

  • Condolence — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Condolence >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 condolence condolence Sgm: N 1 lamentation lamentation &c. 839 Sgm: N 1 sympathy sympathy consolation PARAG:Condolence >V GRP: V 1 Sgm: V 1 condole with …   English dictionary for students

  • condolence — UK [kənˈdəʊləns] / US [kənˈdoʊləns] noun [plural] Word forms condolence : singular condolence plural condolences condolences the things that you say to show sympathy when someone has just died We offer our condolences to David and his family on… …   English dictionary

  • condolence — [17] Condolence and sympathy are parallel formations: both go back to classical originals (late Latin condolēre and Greek sumpátheia respectively) which meant literally ‘together suffering’. Latin condolēre was a compound verb formed from the… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • condolence — [[t]kəndo͟ʊləns[/t]] condolences 1) N UNCOUNT A message of condolence is a message in which you express your sympathy for someone because one of their friends or relatives has died recently. Neil sent him a letter of condolence. 2) N PLURAL When… …   English dictionary

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