[syn: condolence, commiseration]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Commiseration \Com*mis`er*a"tion\, n. [F. commis['e]ration, fr.
L. commiseratio a part of an oration intended to excite
compassion.]
The act of commiserating; sorrow for the wants, afflictions,
or distresses of another; pity; compassion.
[1913 Webster]
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint. --Shak.
Syn: See Sympathy.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
commiseration
n 1: a feeling of sympathy and sorrow for the misfortunes of
others; "the blind are too often objects of pity" [syn:
commiseration, pity, ruth, pathos]
2: an expression of sympathy with another's grief; "they sent
their condolences" [syn: condolence, commiseration]