Compunctions

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A feeling of guilt or moral scruple that prevents or follows the doing of something bad
2. a sense of regret for one's actions that weighs heavily on conscience
3. the emotional response arising from awareness of wrongdoing that inhibits one from acting immorally

Etymology: Compunctions is simply the plural of "compunction", so the history belongs to that singular noun. The core image is physical: the Latin verb "compungere" meant "to severely prick", built from "com-", an intensifying prefix, and "pungere", "to prick". The noun "compunctionem" then carried the sense of "a pricking", and the word came into Middle English through Old French as "compunccion", a pricking of the conscience. That sense of a sharp, painful jab is what makes the modern meaning work. Someone who feels compunction is not merely sorry but feels a small, persistent sting that will not let them rest about something they did. The metaphor of a needle or goad has stayed attached to the word for centuries, even as most speakers never think of a literal prick.

Synonyms: remorse, guilt, regret, scruples, conscience