hyüˈmanəd.ē, -ətē, -i also yü- noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English humanite, from Middle French humanité, from Latin humanitat-, humanitas, from humanus human, humane + -itat-, -itas -ity — more at human
1. : the quality or state of being humane : kind or generous behavior or disposition : compassion , benevolence
which she had intended to do with beautiful mercy, a lovely humanity — Elizabeth Taylor
bespeaking humanity for the enemy in the midst of a bloody struggle — C.G.Bowers
2.
a. : the totality of attributes which distinguish man from other beings : the condition of being human : essential human quality or character
very ape-looking, but with many marks of an incipient humanity — J.S.Weiner
man's humanity consists of his … labor power — Hannah Arendt
seem coldly to deny him a common humanity — Philip Woodruff
committed to a belief in the humanity of all men and women — Brendan Sexton
b. humanities plural
(1) : human attributes or qualities
his work has the ripeness of the 18th century, and its rough humanities — Pamela H. Johnson
(2) : things pleasing to human tastes or sensibilities
it has humanities: many mirrors, for example, which augment the numbers of the guests — Philip Wylie
3.
[Medieval Latin humanitas, from Latin]
a. archaic : the study of classical language and literature
b. in Scottish universities : Latin language and literature
c. humanities plural : the branches of learning regarded as having primarily a cultural character and usually including languages, literature, history, mathematics, and philosophy
4.
a. : the totality of human beings : the human race : mankind
a fierce compassion for the woes of humanity — Maurice Bowra
b. : people , men
the packed mass of humanity below would swing … with the movement of the ship — C.S.Forester