The word compassion /kəmˈpæʃən/ is spelled with two 's's' and one 'o', although it might be easy to confuse the 'o' for an 'a' given the similar sound. The symbol 'ə' represents the schwa sound, which is a neutral vowel sound that occurs in unstressed syllables. The rest of the symbols represent the standard English sounds, with the 'sh' sound being represented by the combination of letters 'sh' and the 's' sounds being represented by the letter 's'. The emphasis is on the second syllable, which is indicated by the apostrophe in 'pæʃən'.
Compassion refers to a profound feeling and expression of empathy, care, and concern for others who are experiencing suffering, misfortune, or distress. It is an innate human quality that drives individuals to understand and connect with the pain and difficulties faced by fellow beings, with an intention of offering kindness, support, and assistance.
At its core, compassion involves a deep recognition of the shared human experience, recognizing that all individuals are subject to various forms of suffering throughout life. It goes beyond simply feeling sympathy or pity, as it motivates individuals to take action and alleviate the suffering of others to the best of their abilities.
Compassion is often characterized by feelings of warmth, tenderness, and sensitivity towards others, and it manifests through acts of selflessness, generosity, and forgiveness. When a person exhibits compassion, they actively seek to understand the perspectives, needs, and emotions of others, and they respond in ways that prioritize the well-being and dignity of those in distress.
Moreover, compassion is not limited to individuals, as it can also be displayed at a societal level through policies and systems designed to protect and uplift vulnerable populations. It promotes a sense of unity and interconnectedness within communities, fostering a more supportive and inclusive society.
Overall, compassion embodies the noblest aspects of humanity, promoting empathy, understanding, and care for others, and serving as an essential foundation for building a better and more compassionate world for all.
Sorrow excited by the distress or misfortunes of another; pity; sympathy; fellow-feeling.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "compassion" originated from the Late Latin word "compassio", which is a combination of the prefix "com-" (meaning "together" or "with") and the noun "passio" (meaning "suffering" or "feeling"). "Passio" is derived from the Latin verb "pati", which means "to suffer" or "to endure". Therefore, the etymology of "compassion" suggests a sense of sharing or participating in the suffering or feelings of others.