n. [ OF. compunction, F. componction, L. compunctio, fr. compungere, compunctum, to prick; com- + pungere to prick, sting. See Pungent. ] 1. A pricking; stimulation. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

That acid and piercing spirit which, with such activity and compunction, invadeth the brains and nostrils. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of conscience. [ 1913 Webster ]

He acknowledged his disloyalty to the king, with expressions of great compunction. Clarendon.

Syn. -- Compunction, Remorse, Contrition. Remorse is anguish of soul under a sense of guilt or consciousness of having offended God or brought evil upon one's self or others. Compunction is the pain occasioned by a wounded and awakened conscience. Neither of them implies true contrition, which denotes self-condemnation, humiliation, and repentance. We speak of the gnawings of remorse; of compunction for a specific act of transgression; of deep contrition in view of our past lives. See Regret. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Without compunction. [ 1913 Webster ]