Comminution
(Com`mi*nu"tion) n.
1. The act of reducing to a fine powder or to small particles; pulverization; the state of being comminuted.
Bentley.
2. (Surg.) Fracture (of a bone) into a number of pieces. Dunglison.
3. Gradual diminution by the removal of small particles at a time; a lessening; a wearing away.
Natural and necessary comminution of our lives.
Johnson.
Commiserable
(Com*mis"er*a*ble) a. Pitiable. [Obs.] Bacon.
Commiserate
(Com*mis"er*ate) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Commiserated; p. pr. & vb. n. Commiserating.]
[L. commiseratus, p. p. of commiserari to commiserate; com- + miserari to pity. See Miserable.] To
feel sorrow, pain, or regret for; to pity.
Then must we those, who groan, beneath the weight
Of age, disease, or want, commiserate.
Denham.
We should commiserate our mutual ignorance.
Locke.
Syn. — To pity; compassionate; lament; condole.
Commiseration
(Com*mis`er*a"tion) n. [F. commisération, fr. L. commiseratio a part of an oration intended
to excite compassion.] The act of commiserating; sorrow for the wants, afflictions, or distresses of another; pity; compassion.
And pluck commiseration of his state
From brassy bosoms and rough hearts of flint.
Shak.
Syn. — See Sympathy.
Commiserative
(Com*mis"er*a*tive) a. Feeling or expressing commiseration. Todd.
Commiserator
(Com*mis"er*a`tor) n. One who pities.
Commissarial
(Com`mis*sa"ri*al) a. Of or pertaining to a commissary.
Commissariat
(Com`mis*sa"ri*at) n. [F. commissariat.] (Mil.) (a) The organized system by which
armies and military posts are supplied with food and daily necessaries. (b) The body of officers charged
with such service.
Commissary
(Com"mis*sa*ry) n.; pl. Commissaries [LL. commissarius, fr. L. commissus, p. p. of
committere to commit, intrust to. See Commit.]
1. One to whom is committed some charge, duty, or office, by a superior power; a commissioner.
Great Destiny, the Commissary of God.
Donne.
