a. [f. L. compass- ppl. stem of compati to suffer with (see COMPASSION) + -IVE.] Feeling or showing compassion; sympathetic, compassionate, pitiful.
1612. R. Sheldon, Serm. St. Martin’s, 44. Any compassiue mind and heart … cannot but compassionate their wretched … seruitudes.
1612. Shelton, Quix., I. III. v. 140. Murmuring somewhat … with a low and compassive voice.
1760–72. H. Brooke, Fool of Quality (1792), II. 191. But a-propos, my Lord, these same compassive acts against slander … have they yet passed into a law?
a. 1860. [see next].
