compassionate

[adj. kuh m-pash-uh-nit; v. kuh m-pash-uh-neyt] /adj. kəmˈpæʃ ə nɪt; v. kəmˈpæʃ əˌneɪt/
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.
3.
Obsolete, pitiable.
verb (used with object), compassionated, compassionating.
4.
Archaic. to pity or have compassion for.
Origin
1580-90; compassion + -ate1
Related forms
compassionately, adverb
compassionateness, noun
uncompassionate, adjective
uncompassionately, adverb
uncompassionateness, noun
Synonyms
1. pitying, sympathizing, sympathetic, tender.
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
compassionately, adverb
compassionateness, noun
Word Origin and History for compassionate
adj.

1580s, from compassion + -ate (1). Related: Compassionately. Phrase compassionate conservatism in American political language recorded by 1992, popularized, if not coined, by Marvin Olasky, University of Texas at Austin instructor.