Search the Dictionary

erciful. There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate. South.

In a compassionate manner; mercifully. Clarendon.

The quality or state of being compassionate.

Not compassionate; void of pity or of tenderness; remorseless. -- In`com*pas"sion*ate*ly, adv. -- In`com*pas"sion*ate*ness, n.

Mild in temper and disposition; merciful; compassionate. Shak. -- Clem"ent*ly, adv.

Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper. -- For*giv"ing*ly, adv. -- For*giv"ing*ness, n. J. C. Shairp.

Unwilling to give pain; compassionate. A merciful man will be merciful to his beast. Old Proverb.

to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency. Examples of justice must be made for terror to some; examples of mercy for comfort to others. Bacon.

Evincing pity, compassion, or sympathy; compassionate; tender. "[She] piteous of his case." Pope. She was so charitable and so pitous. Chaucer.

Full of pity; tender-hearted; compassionate; kind; merciful; sympathetic. The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James v. 11.

To feel pity or compassion for; to have sympathy with; to compassionate; to commiserate; to have tender feelings toward (any one), awakened by a knowledge of suffering. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. Ps. ciii. 13.

Compassionate; feeling tenderly. [Obs.] Shak.

faction. [Obs.] Which makes the tragical ends of noble persons more favorably resented by compassionate readers. Sir T. Browne.

Susceptible of the softer passions, as love, compassion, kindness; compassionate; pitiful; anxious for another's good; easily excited to pity, forgiveness, or favor; sympathetic. The Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. James v. 11. I am choleric by my nature, and tender by my temper. Fuller.