Etymology Map
Back to all words

Compassion

2 stages from Late Latin to English.

Today it means sympathetic pity

Where does the word "compassion" come from? It comes from Late Latin compassio, adopted directly into English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
compassio
Late Latin · ancient
"suffering with"
'com-' plus 'pati', to suffer
2
Stage 2 of 2
compassion
English · 1300s
"fellow suffering"
came into English through French 'compassion'
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Compassion’s story begins in Late Latin: compassio meant “suffering with.” 'com-' plus 'pati', to suffer. It reached English by 1300s as compassion. Came into English through French 'compassion'. Today, compassion means sympathetic pity.