Mer"ci*ful (?), a. [Mercy + -ful.]

1.

Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to pity and spare offenders; unwilling to punish.

The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious. Ex. xxxiv. 6.

Be merciful, great duke, to men of mold. Shak.

2.

Unwilling to give pain; compassionate.

A merciful man will be merciful to his beast. Old Proverb.

Syn. -- Compassionate; tender; humane; gracious; kind; mild; clement; benignant.

-- Mer"ci*ful*ly, adv. -- Mer"ci*ful*ness, n.

 

© Webster 1913.

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