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Companion vs Compassion - What's the difference?

companion | compassion |

In obsolete terms the difference between companion and compassion

is that companion is to qualify as a companion; to make equal while compassion is to pity.

companion

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A friend, acquaintance, or partner; someone with whom one spends time or keeps company
  • His dog has been his trusted companion for the last five years.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Here are your sons again; and I must lose / Two of the sweetest companions in the world.
  • (dated) A person employed to accompany or travel with another.
  • (nautical) The framework on the quarterdeck of a sailing ship through which daylight entered the cabins below.
  • (nautical) The covering of a hatchway on an upper deck which leads to the companionway; the stairs themselves.
  • (topology) A knot in whose neighborhood another, specified knot meets every meridian disk.
  • (figuratively) A thing or phenomenon that is closely associated with another thing, phenomenon, or person.
  • (astronomy) A celestial object that is associated with another.
  • A knight of the lowest rank in certain orders.
  • a companion of the Bath
  • (obsolete, derogatory) A fellow; a rogue.
  • * 1599 , , III. i. 111:
  • and let us knog our / prains together to be revenge on this same scald, scurvy, / cogging companion ,

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * companionable, uncompanionable * companion hatch * companion ladder * companionship * companionway

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To be a companion to; to attend on; to accompany.
  • (Ruskin)
  • (obsolete) To qualify as a companion; to make equal.
  • * (rfdate) (William Shakespeare)
  • Companion me with my mistress.

    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

    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?