The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Compassion \Com*pas"sion\, n. [F., fr. L. compassio, fr. compati
   to have compassion; com- + pati to bear, suffer. See
   Patient.]
   Literally, suffering with another; a sensation of sorrow
   excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity;
   commiseration.
   [1913 Webster]

         Womanly ingenuity set to work by womanly compassion.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   Syn: Pity; sympathy; commiseration; fellow-feeling; mercy;
        condolence. See Pity.
        [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Compassion \Com*pas"sion\, v. t.
   To pity. [Obs.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

compassion
    n 1: a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
         [syn: compassion, compassionateness]
    2: the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others
       and wanting to do something about it [syn: compassion,
       pity]