humane

Definition

Having or showing concern for the pain or suffering of another; compassionate.

Etymology

From Middle English humain, humayne, from Old French humain, umain, from Latin hūmānus, from Latin homō (“man”). Cognate with Old English guma (“man”), whence the groom in English bridegroom.

Example Sentences

• "It is no longer considered humane to perform vivisection on research animals."
• "As methods of execution go, beheading is more humane than drawing and quartering."
• "The unfortunate thing about Bando, said Arthur, is that it is no longer to be obtained in this unfortunate country. I understand that inferior products, such as Ostreine and Spanish Flies, may still be wheedled out of some of the humaner chemists, up and down the city, in the ten minutes or a quarter of an hour immediately following their midday meal."

Related Words