Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Compassion \Com*pas"sion\, v. t.
   To pity. [Obs.] --Shak.

Compassion \Com*pas"sion\, n. [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 ingenuity set to work by womanly compassion.
                                                  --Macaulay.

   Syn: Pity; sympathy; commiseration; fellow-feeling; mercy;
        condolence. See {Pity}.

Source : WordNet®

compassion
     n 1: a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's suffering
          [syn: {compassionateness}]
     2: the humane quality of understanding the suffering of others
        and wanting to do something about it [syn: {pity}]