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Agape vs Compassion - What's the difference?

agape | compassion |

As nouns the difference between agape and compassion

is that agape is (label) while compassion is deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it.

As a verb compassion is

(obsolete) to pity.

agape

English

Etymology 1

* . First known use by (1667).

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Being in a state of astonishment, wonder, expectation, or eager attention; as with mouth hanging open.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • wide open.
  • * 1874 , (Marcus Clarke), (For the Term of His Natural Life) Chapter VIII
    • With his mouth agape and his hands clenched, Rufus Dawes, incapable of further speech, made a last effort to nod assent, but his head fell upon his breast; the next moment, the flickering light, the gloomy prison, the eager face of the doctor, and the astonished face of Vickers, vanished from before his straining eyes.
  • *
  • *
  • * 2004 , Jeffrey C. Carrier, John A. Musick, & Michael R. Heithaus, Biology of Sharks and their Relatives? , page 171
    • If the slightly agape mouth is closed prior to mouth opening, this is termed the preparatory phase and is more common in suction-feeding bony fishes than elasmobranchs.
    Usage notes
    * Almost always used after a noun or noun phrase it modifies.
    Synonyms
    * (being in a state of astonishment) dumbstruck, agog * (open wide) ajar, open, agog

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • In a state of astonishment, wonder, expectation, or eager attention.
  • *
  • *
  • *
  • open wide.
  • *
  • * 1996 , Perri O'Shaughnessy, Invasion of Privacy? , page 508
    • The bathroom door stood agape , and the peeling vinyl floor was bare.
  • * 2005 , , Chainfire? , page 427
    • He glanced up into Richard's eyes, his own wide with wonder, his mouth hanging agape .

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) .

    Noun

    (agapae)
  • (Christianity) the love of God for mankind, or the benevolent love of Christians for others.
  • spiritual, altruistic, beneficial love which wills good for others.
  • a love feast, especially one held in the early Christian Church in connection with the eucharist.

    • References

    * (wikipedia "agape") * * English heteronyms English terms with multiple etymologies ----

    compassion

    English

    Noun

  • Deep awareness of the suffering of another, coupled with the wish to relieve it
  • * 1849 , Robert Leighton (Archbishop of Glasgow), A practical commentary upon the first Epistle of St. Peter (page 47)
    • Oh! the unspeakable privilege to have Him for our Father, who is the Father of mercies and compassions , and those not barren, fruitless pityings, for He is withal the God of all consolations.

    Synonyms

    * empathy, pity, ruth, tenderheartedness, sorrow * kindness, heart, mercy

    Derived terms

    * compassionate * compassion fatigue

    Related terms

    * compatible

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To pity.
  • * 1607 , , IV. i. 124:
    • O heavens, can you hear a good man groan / And not relent, or not compassion him?

    External links

    * * ----