[f. CONDOLE + -MENT.]
† 1. Sorrowing, bewailing, lamentation. Obs.
1602. Marston, Antonio’s Rev., V. vi. All hearts will relent, In sad condolement at that heavie sound.
1602. Shaks., Ham., I. ii. 93. To perseuer In obstinate Condolement, is a course Of impious stubbornnesse.
1641. Milton, Animadv., Wks. 1738, I. 89. Centurion Afranius … falls into a pitiful Condolement.
2. The expressing of sympathy with another on account of loss, bereavement, or other grief.
1656. Finett, For. Ambass., 212. This Ambassador … came hither for condolement of the Duke his master.
1672. Wood, Life (1772), 390. An Address of Condolement for the Loss of the Queen.
1842. J. H. Newman, Ch. of Fathers, 98. She thus speaks of him … in a letter of condolement.
b. (with a and pl.) An expression of sympathy with any one in his suffering or loss; in quot. 1608, a tangible expression of this, a solatium.
1608. Shaks., Per., II. i. 156. There are certain condolements, certain vails.
1670. Temple, Lett., Wks. 1731, II. 223. Your Excellency will have received … my Condolements upon my Lord Northumberland’s Death.
1793. Mrs. E. Parsons, Woman as she should be, III. 43. Poor Harley entreats his respectful condolements for every sorrow you feel.
1879. J. Todhunter, Alcestis, 90. I thank you all For your condolements.
