Condolement

/kənˈdoʊlmənt/ noun

Definition

An expression of sympathy or sorrow; a statement or gesture showing compassion for someone's grief.

Etymology

From 'condole' plus the suffix '-ment,' which creates nouns from verbs. The suffix '-ment' comes from Latin '-mentum,' creating abstract nouns of actions or results. This word is largely archaic, replaced by 'condolence.'

Kelly Says

This word is practically identical to 'condolence' but sounds somehow more awkward—linguistics sometimes shows how similar words compete, and 'condolence' simply won out despite both existing for centuries.

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