- remorse (n.)
- late 14c., from Old French remors (French remords), from Medieval Latin remorsum, from neuter past participle of Latin remordere "to vex, disturb," literally "to bite back," from re- "back" + mordere "to bite" (see smart (v.)). The sense evolution was via the Medieval Latin phrase remorsus conscientiæ (translated into Middle English as ayenbite of inwit).