Compunctionary

/kəmˈpʌŋkʃəneri/ adjective

Definition

Relating to or characterized by compunction; causing or expressing regret or remorse (rare/archaic).

Etymology

From 'compunction' + suffix '-ary' (relating to). This adjectival form is primarily historical and appears in older theological and philosophical texts.

Kelly Says

This word is a linguistic fossil—it's so rare that modern dictionaries often omit it entirely, but it survives in medieval religious manuscripts where monks carefully examined their 'compunctionary emotions' as part of spiritual discipline.

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