condolence - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

From condole +‎ -ence, or from Middle French condoléance, or formed from the root of Latin condoleō (“to sympathize”), from con- (“together, with”) and doleō (“to hurt, suffer, have pain”).

condolence (countable and uncountable, plural condolences)

  1. (uncountable) Comfort, support or sympathy.
    There was not much to do after the accident but offer what condolence I could.
  2. (countable, usually in the plural) An expression of comfort, support, or sympathy offered to the family and friends of somebody who has died.
    I sent her a card expressing my condolences after her mother passed away.

comfort, support or sympathy — see also condolences

sympathy when someone has died — see also condolences