I. kəm-ˈpa-sh(ə-)nət adjective
Date: 1579
1. : having or showing compassion : sympathetic
a compassionate friend
a compassionate smile
2. : granted because of unusual distressing circumstances affecting an individual — used of some military privileges (as leave)
• com·pas·sion·ate·ly adverb
• com·pas·sion·ate·ness noun
II. -ˈpa-shə-ˌnāt transitive verb
( -at·ed ; -at·ing )
Date: 1592
: pity