compunction

Where does the word "compunction" come from? It comes from Latin pungere, passing through Latin and Late Latin before entering English (1300s).

Compunction’s story begins in Latin: pungere meant “to prick, to pierce.” To prick, to pierce, combined with com- (thoroughly). Within Latin, it grew into compungere by ancient. To prick sharply, to sting the conscience, from com- and pungere. From there it passed into Late Latin as compunctio by medieval. A pricking of conscience, remorse, from compungere. It reached English by 1300s as compunction. Settled as the English word for a feeling of guilt about one's actions. Today, compunction means a feeling of guilt or moral unease about doing something.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient pungere "to prick, to pierce", to prick, to pierce, combined with com- (thoroughly).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient compungere "to prick sharply, to sting the conscience", to prick sharply, to sting the conscience, from com- and pungere.
3. Stage 3 · Late Latin · medieval compunctio "a pricking of conscience, remorse", a pricking of conscience, remorse, from compungere.
4. Stage 4 · English · 1300s compunction "a feeling of guilt or unease about one's actions", settled as the English word for a feeling of guilt about one's actions.