n. [ F., fr. regretter. See Regret, v. ] 1. Pain of mind on account of something done or experienced in the past, with a wish that it had been different; a looking back with dissatisfaction or with longing; grief; sorrow; especially, a mourning on account of the loss of some joy, advantage, or satisfaction. “A passionate regret at sin.” Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

What man does not remember with regret the first time he read Robinson Crusoe? Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Never any prince expressed a more lively regret for the loss of a servant. Clarendon. [ 1913 Webster ]

From its peaceful bosom [ the grave ] spring none but fond regrets and tender recollections. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Dislike; aversion. [ Obs. ] Dr. H. More. [ 1913 Webster ]

Syn. -- Grief; concern; sorrow; lamentation; repentance; penitence; self-condemnation. -- Regret, Remorse, Compunction, Contrition, Repentance. Regret does not carry with it the energy of remorse, the sting of compunction, the sacredness of contrition, or the practical character of repentance. We even apply the term regret to circumstance over which we have had no control, as the absence of friends or their loss. When connected with ourselves, it relates rather to unwise acts than to wrong or sinful ones. C. J. Smith. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Regretted p. pr. & vb. n. Regretting. ] [ F. regretter, OF. regreter; L. pref. re- re- + a word of Teutonic origin; cf. Goth. grētan to weep, Icel. grāta. See Greet to lament. ] To experience regret on account of; to lose or miss with a sense of regret; to feel sorrow or dissatisfaction on account of (the happening or the loss of something); as, to regret an error; to regret lost opportunities or friends. [ 1913 Webster ]

Calmly he looked on either life, and here
Saw nothing to regret, or there to fear. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

In a few hours they [ the Israelites ] began to regret their slavery, and to murmur against their leader. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

Recruits who regretted the plow from which they had been violently taken. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Full of regret; indulging in regrets; repining. -- Re*gret"ful*ly, adv. [1913 Webster]