compassionate

[ adjective kuhm-pash-uh-nit; verb kuhm-pash-uh-neyt ]

adjective
  1. having or showing compassion: a compassionate person; a compassionate letter.

  2. granted in an emergency: compassionate military leave granted to attend a funeral.

  1. Obsolete. pitiable.

verb (used with object),com·pas·sion·at·ed, com·pas·sion·at·ing.
  1. Archaic. to pity or have compassion for.

Origin of compassionate

1
First recorded in 1580–90; compassion + -ate1

Other words for compassionate

Other words from compassionate

  • com·pas·sion·ate·ly, adverb
  • com·pas·sion·ate·ness, noun
  • un·com·pas·sion·ate, adjective
  • un·com·pas·sion·ate·ly, adverb
  • un·com·pas·sion·ate·ness, noun

Words Nearby compassionate

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How to use compassionate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for compassionate

compassionate

/ (kəmˈpæʃənət) /


adjective
  1. showing or having compassion

  2. compassionate leave leave granted, esp to a serviceman, on the grounds of bereavement, family illness, etc

Derived forms of compassionate

  • compassionately, adverb
  • compassionateness, noun

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