compunctious

English - English

Definition of compunctious in English English dictionary

Pertaining to compunctions, scruples, feelings of guilt

Nothing can be conceived more hard than the heart of a thoroughbred metaphysician. It comes nearer to the cold malignity of a wicked spirit than to the frailty and passion of a man. It is like that of the principle of evil himself, incorporeal, pure, unmixed, dephlegmated, defecated evil. It is no easy operation to eradicate humanity from the human breast. What Shakspeare calls “the compunctious visitings of nature” will sometimes knock at their hearts, and protest against their murderous speculations. But they have a means of compounding with their nature. Their humanity is not dissolved. They only give it a long prorogation.

Of the nature of compunction; caused by conscience; attended with, or causing, compunction

{s} regretful; causing compunction

Hyphenation

com·punc·tious