Humane

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /hjuːˈmeɪn/

Definitions

1. Showing compassion and kindness towards people or animals in need or distress
2. Exhibiting a gentle and caring attitude that respects the dignity of all living beings
3. Characterized by mercy and empathy that promotes fair and considerate treatment of others

Etymology: The Latin root of "humane" is "homo," meaning "man" or "human being," and the English word has been wearing a version of that meaning since it arrived. The word passed into Middle English as "humain" from Old French "humain" and "umain," which came from Latin "hūmānus," an adjective built on "homō." English has long kept two senses apart: the older one, "of or belonging to human beings," and the newer one, "showing kindness and compassion." The spelling with the silent "e" arrived later, which is why the modern form looks more like "human" than its medieval ancestors did. The most surprising connection lies in an unexpected relative. Old English "guma," meaning "man," is cognate with this same Latin-rooted family, and it survives today in "groom" in the phrase "bridegroom." The two words share a Germanic and Latin ancestry in the idea of a man or person, though they took very different paths into English.

Synonyms: compassionate, kind, considerate

Antonyms: cruel, inhumane, merciless