humane
adj.adj. showing kindness, care, and sympathy towards people or animals, especially those who are suffering.
adj. characterised by kindness, mercy, or compassion, particularly in the treatment of humans or animals. Often used to describe methods of killing or confinement that minimise pain.
The shelter provides humane treatment for all stray dogs.
The government is under pressure to find a more humane way to manage the growing refugee population.
Ethical debates regarding the penal system often center on whether current incarceration practices are truly humane or if they merely serve as a form of institutionalised vengeance.
From Middle English humain, humayne, from Old French humain, umain, from Latin hūmānus, from Latin homō (“man”). Cognate with Old English guma (“man”), whence the groom in English bridegroom.
Commonly modifies nouns related to treatment, conditions, or methods (e.g., 'humane killing', 'humane society').
He is a very human person.He is a very humane person.'Human' refers to the species, while 'humane' refers to the quality of being kind and compassionate.