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.

But evermore it seem'd an easier thing
At once without remorse to strike her dead.

Syn. -- Compunction; regret; anguish; grief; compassion. See Compunction.

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.

But evermore it seem'd an easier thing
At once without remorse to strike her dead.

Syn. -- Compunction; regret; anguish; grief; compassion. See Compunction.

• A feeling of regret or remorse for doing wrong or sinning
       remorse that makes one walk on thorns
       ::::::-- Oscar Wilde
  
• Obsolete. sorrow; pity; compassion
       the tears of soft remorse
       :-- William Shakespeare