Re‐morse″ (r?‐m?rs″), n. [OE. remors, OF. remors,F. remords, LL. remorsus, fr. L. remordere, remorsum, to bite again or back, to torment; pref. re- re- + mordere to bite. See Morsel.] 1. The anguish, like gnawing pain, excited by a sense of guilt; compunction of conscience for a crime committed, or for the sins of one's past life. “Nero will be tainted with remorse.” Shak.
2. Sympathetic sorrow; pity; compassion.
Curse on the unpardoning prince, whom tears can draw
To no remorse. Dryden.
But evermore it seem'd an easier thing
At once without remorse to strike her dead. Tennyson.
Syn. — Compunction; regret; anguish; grief; compassion. See Compunction.