1. (n.) The anguish, like gnawing pain, excited by a sense of guilt; compunction of conscience for a crime committed, or for the sins of one's past life.

2. (n.) Sympathetic sorrow; pity; compassion.

anxiety apologies attrition ayenbite of inwit bitterness compunction contriteness contrition embarrassment grief guilt guilty conscience humiliation mortification pangs of conscience penance penitence penitently regret regretfulness regrets regretting remorse of conscience remorsefulness repentance repining rue ruefulness self-reproach shame shamefacedness shamefastness shamefulness sorriness sorrow wistfulness woe