condolence
(kənˈdəʊləns)
Also 7–8 condoleance, -dolance.
[f. L. condolēre to condole, on L. type *condolēntia (cf. dolēntia): see -ence. But in 17th c. the Fr. condoléance (15th c. in Littré, an irreg. form) was introduced in sense 2, and this and the accessory form condolance long prevailed. The stress appears to follow condole, unless it originated in F. condoléance; L. analogy would give ˈcondolence, like indolence, insolence, etc.]
The action or fact of condoling.
† 1. Sympathetic grief; sorrowing with and for others. Obs.
| 1603 Holland Plutarch's Mor. 150 That condolence and fellow-feeling with our neighbours. 1633 T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter iii. 15 There is a condolence, or grieving for the pains of others. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Condolence, a sympathy. 1721 Bailey, Condolence, a Sympathy in Grief, a Fellow-feeling of another's Sorrows, etc. |
2. Outward expression of sympathy with the grief of others;
esp. formal expression, as in the
obs. compliments of condolence. In this sense the French or frenchified
condoleance,
condolance, were at first used.
| α 1619 Visct. Doncaster Let. in Eng. & Germ. (Camden) 132 He made me..discharge the office of condoleance for the late Emperor. 1683 D. A. Art Converse 45 A complement of condoleance to your friend upon the death of his wife. 1689 Lond. Gaz. No. 2438/1 The King..received..the Compliments of Condoleance of the Ambassadors..upon the Death of the Queen. 1726 Butler Serm. v. 84 Congratulation indeed answers Condoleance; but both these words are intended to signify certain forms of civility, rather than any inward sensation or feeling. |
| β 1691 Lond. Gaz. No. 2631/2 Compliments of Condolance upon the Death of the Late Elector. 1711 Ibid. No. 4849/1 Compliments of Condolance on the Emperors Death. 1777 Robertson Hist. Amer. I. ii. 99 They lamented their misfortune with tears of sincere condolance. |
| γ [1742 H. Walpole Lett. H. Mann (1834) I. xl. 163 Will you make my Compliments of Condolence.] 1747 Gray Lett. Poems (1775) 188 One ought to be particularly careful to avoid blunders in a compliment of condolence. 1755 Johnson, Condolence, the civilities and messages of friends upon any loss or misfortune. 1857 H. Miller Test. Rocks ix. 378 Rather a subject of condolence than of congratulation. 1871 Macduff Mem. Patmos xxii. 308 Oh, the bitter mockery of commonplace condolence! |
b. (with
pl.) A (formal) declaration or expression of sympathy.
| a 1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xvi. (1843) 864/1 Foreign Princes addressed their Condoleances to him. 1817 Jeffrey in Ld. Cockburn Life II. lxxvi, The condolences of his numerous friends. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. xii, To which condolences Miss Squeers added others equally calculated to raise her friend's spirits. |