Also 7–8 condoleance, -dolance. [f. L. condolēre to CONDOLE, on L. type *condolēntia (cf. dolēntia): see -ENCE. But in 17th c. the Fr. condoléance (15th c. in Littré, an irreg. form) was introduced in sense 2, and this and the accessory form condolance long prevailed. The stress appears to follow CONDOLE, unless it originated in F. condoléance; L. analogy would give co·ndolence, like indolence, insolence, etc.] The action or fact of condoling.
† 1. Sympathetic grief; sorrowing with and for others. Obs.
1603. Holland, Plutarch’s Mor., 150. That condolence and fellow-feeling with our neighbours.
1633. T. Adams, Exp. 2 Peter iii. 15. There is a condolence, or grieving for the pains of others.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Condolence, a sympathy.
1721. Bailey, Condolence, a Sympathy in Grief, a Fellow-feeling of another’s Sorrows, etc.
2. Outward expression of sympathy with the grief of others; esp. formal expression, as in the obs. Compliments of condolence. In this sense the French or frenchified condoleance, condolance, were at first used.
α. 1619. Vct. Doncaster, Lett., in Eng. & Germ. (Camden), 132. He made me … discharge the office of condoleance for the late Emperor.
1683. D. A., Art Converse, 45. A complement of condoleance to your friend upon the death of his wife.
1689. Lond. Gaz., No. 2438/1. The King … received … the Compliments of Condoleance of the Ambassadors … upon the Death of the Queen.
1726. Butler, Serm., v. 84. Congratulation indeed answers Condoleance; but both these words are intended to signify certain forms of civility, rather than any inward sensation or feeling.
β. 1691. Lond. Gaz., No. 2631/2. Compliments of Condolance upon the Death of the Late Elector. Ibid. (1711), No. 4849/1. Compliments of Condolance on the Emperors Death.
1777. Robertson, Hist. Amer., I. II. 99. They lamented their misfortune with tears of sincere condolance.
γ. [1742. H. Walpole, Lett. H. Mann (1834), I. xl. 163. Will you make my Compliments of Condolence.]
1747. Gray, Lett., Poems (1775), 188. One ought to be particularly careful to avoid blunders in a compliment of condolence.
1755. Johnson, Condolence, the civilities and messages of friends upon any loss or misfortune.
1857. H. Miller, Test. Rocks, ix. 378. Rather a subject of condolence than of congratulation.
1871. Macduff, Mem. Patmos, xxii. 308. Oh, the bitter mockery of commonplace condolence!
b. (with pl.) A (formal) declaration or expression of sympathy.
a. 1674. Clarendon, Hist. Reb., XVI. (1843), 864/1. Foreign Princes addressed their Condoleances to him.
1817. Jeffrey, in Ld. Cockburn, Life, II. lxxvi. The condolences of his numerous friends.
1838. Dickens, Nich. Nick., xii. To which condolences Miss Squeers added others equally calculated to raise her friend’s spirits.
