0 sympathy and sadness for the family or close friends of a person who has recently died, or an expression of this, especially in written form:
1 an expression of sympathy esp. for the family of a person who has recently died, or the sympathy expressed:
This is indeed the case where historically the derived words were borrowed later, as in condole (1590) + condolence (1603).
Instant messaging, for example, is well-suited to chatting with a coworker sitting a few cubicles over, while wholly inappropriate for sending condolences.
Furthermore, people used to believe that the birth of a girl brought such bad luck that they sometimes greeted her with regular curses or ritualised condolences.
The masses did more than sign condolence registers: traders wept, market women closed shops in his honour, and even donated food and other items to the family for the burial.
In addition, there exist a small number of letters of condolence to friends or the widows of esteemed royal servants, whose formulae of consolation express some statement of faith.
One hesitates to offer either condolences or would-be constructive comment, but at the same time it would not be helpful just to smile, nod, and turn away.
He is unable to be here due to a constituency engagement but was anxious to express his sympathies and condolences at this tragedy.
I wish to express our deepest condolences to all his family.
