con·do·lence \kənˈdōlən(t)s, ˈkändəl-\noun (-s) Etymology: Middle French, from condoloir to condole (from Latin condolēre) + -ence 1.obsolete: sympathetic sorrow 2. a.: expression of sympathy with another in sorrow or grief < a letter of condolence > b.condolencesplural: a formal avowal of such sympathy < the bereaved parents received more than a hundred condolences > Synonyms:see sympathy