‖n. [ L.: cf. F. rémora. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

1. Delay; obstacle; hindrance. [ Obs. ] Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of fishes belonging to Echeneis, Remora, and allied genera. Called also sucking fish. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The anterior dorsal fin is converted into a large sucking disk, having two transverse rows of lamellae, situated on the top of the head. They adhere firmly to sharks and other large fishes and to vessels by this curious sucker, letting go at will. The pegador, or remora of sharks (Echeneis naucrates), and the swordfish remora (Remora brachyptera), are common American species. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Surg.) An instrument formerly in use, intended to retain parts in their places. Dunglison. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. remoratus, p. p. of remorari; pref. re- re- + morari to delay. ] To hinder; to delay. [ Obs. ] Johnson. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ L. remordere to bite again, to torment: cf. F. remordre. See Remorse. ] To excite to remorse; to rebuke. [ Obs. ] Skelton. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To feel remorse. [ Obs. ] Sir T. Elyot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Remorse; compunction; compassion. [ Obs. ] Killingbeck. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. remors, OF. remors, F. remords, LL. remorsus, fr. L. remordere, remorsum, to bite again or back, to torment; pref. re- re- + mordere to bite. See Morsel. ] 1. The anguish, like gnawing pain, excited by a sense of guilt; compunction of conscience for a crime committed, or for the sins of one's past life. “Nero will be tainted with remorse.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Sympathetic sorrow; pity; compassion. [ 1913 Webster ]

Curse on the unpardoning prince, whom tears can draw
To no remorse. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

But evermore it seem'd an easier thing
At once without remorse to strike her dead. Tennyson. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Compunction; regret; anguish; grief; compassion. See Compunction. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Feeling remorse. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Full of remorse. [ 1913 Webster ]

The full tide of remorseful passion had abated. Sir W. Scott. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Compassionate; feeling tenderly. [ Obs. ] Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Exciting pity; pitiable. [ Obs. ] Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Re*morse"ful*ly, adv. -- Re*morse"ful*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Being without remorse; having no pity; hence, destitute of sensibility; cruel; insensible to distress; merciless. “Remorseless adversaries.” South. “With remorseless cruelty.” Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Unpitying; pitiless; relentless; unrelenting; implacable; merciless; unmerciful; savage; cruel. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Re*morse"less*ly, adv. -- Re*morse"less*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]