| 释义 |
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.
1603Holland Plutarch's Mor. 150 That condolence and fellow-feeling with our neighbours. 1633T. Adams Exp. 2 Peter iii. 15 There is a condolence, or grieving for the pains of others. 1656Blount Glossogr., Condolence, a sympathy. 1721Bailey, 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.
α1619Visct. Doncaster Let. in Eng. & Germ. (Camden) 132 He made me..discharge the office of condoleance for the late Emperor. 1683D. A. Art Converse 45 A complement of condoleance to your friend upon the death of his wife. 1689Lond. Gaz. No. 2438/1 The King..received..the Compliments of Condoleance of the Ambassadors..upon the Death of the Queen. 1726Butler 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.
β1691Lond. Gaz. No. 2631/2 Compliments of Condolance upon the Death of the Late Elector. 1711Ibid. No. 4849/1 Compliments of Condolance on the Emperors Death. 1777Robertson Hist. Amer. I. ii. 99 They lamented their misfortune with tears of sincere condolance.
γ [1742H. Walpole Lett. H. Mann (1834) I. xl. 163 Will you make my Compliments of Condolence.] 1747Gray Lett. Poems (1775) 188 One ought to be particularly careful to avoid blunders in a compliment of condolence. 1755Johnson, Condolence, the civilities and messages of friends upon any loss or misfortune. 1857H. Miller Test. Rocks ix. 378 Rather a subject of condolence than of congratulation. 1871Macduff Mem. Patmos xxii. 308 Oh, the bitter mockery of commonplace condolence!
b. (with pl.) A (formal) declaration or expression of sympathy.
a1674Clarendon Hist. Reb. xvi. (1843) 864/1 Foreign Princes addressed their Condoleances to him. 1817Jeffrey in Ld. Cockburn Life II. lxxvi, The condolences of his numerous friends. 1838Dickens Nich. Nick. xii, To which condolences Miss Squeers added others equally calculated to raise her friend's spirits. |