Compassion, n.
Etymology: [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. Womanly igenuity set to work by womanly compassion. Macaulay.
Syn. -- Pity; sympathy; commiseration; fellow-feeling; mercy; condolence. See Pity.
1 other Webster entry under this spelling
Compassion, v. t.
To pity. [Obs.] Shak.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for compassion; he lists it under mercy, pity.
Where he writes about it:
Compassion, like pity, is exercised only with respect to the suffering or unfortunate, but combines with the tenderness of pity the dignity of sympathy and the active quality of mercy. — from pity
Commiseration is as tender as compassion, but more remote and hopeless; we have commiseration for sufferers whom we can not reach or can not relieve. — from pity