\Com*punc"tion\, n. [OF. compunction, F.
componction, L. compunctio, fr. compungere, compunctum, to
prick; com- + pungere to prick, sting. See {Pungent}.]
1. A pricking; stimulation. [Obs.]
         That acid and piercing spirit which, with such
         activity and compunction, invadeth the brains and
         nostrils.                             --Sir T.
                                               Browne.
2. A picking of heart; poignant grief proceeding from a sense
   of guilt or consciousness of causing pain; the sting of
   conscience.
         He acknowledged his disloyalty to the king, with
         expressions of great compunction.     --Clarendon.
Syn: {Compunction}, {Remorse}, {Contrition}.
Usage: Remorse is anguish of soul under a sense of guilt or
       consciousness of having offended God or brought evil
       upon one's self or others. Compunction is the pain
       occasioned by a wounded and awakened conscience.
       Neither of them implies true contrition, which denotes
       self-condemnation, humiliation, and repentance. We
       speak of the gnawings of remorse; of compunction for a
       specific act of transgression; of deep contrition in
       view of our past lives. See {Regret}.