remorse Look up remorse at Dictionary.com
late 14c., from O.Fr. remors (Fr. remords), from M.L. remorsum, from neut. pp. of L. remordere "to vex, disturb," lit. "to bite back," from re- "again" + mordere "to bite" (see smart (v.)). The sense evolution was via the M.L. phrase remorsus conscientiæ (translated into M.E. as ayenbite of inwit).