compunction

英文词源

compunction

compunction: [14] Etymologically, to do something ‘without compunction’ means literally to do it without one’s conscience pricking. The word comes via Old French componction from late Latin compunctiō, a derivative of compungere ‘prick hard’, a compound verb formed from the intensive prefix com- and pungere ‘prick’ (source of English puncture and pungent).
=> puncture, pungent

compunction (n.)

mid-14c., from Old French compunction (12c., Modern French componction), from Late Latin compunctionem (nominative compunctio) "remorse; a pricking" (of conscience), noun of action from past participle stem of Latin compungere "to severely prick, sting," from com-, intensive prefix (see com-), + pungere "to prick" (see pungent). Used in figurative sense by early Church writers. Originally a much more intense feeling, similar to "remorse," or "contrition."