Měr'çi-ful, a.

a. [From Eng. mercy.] 1. Full of mercy; having or exercising mercy; disposed to pity offenders and to forgive their offenses; unwilling to punish for injuries. The Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, 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; tender; not cruel. “A merciful man will be merciful to his beast.” Prov. Syn.—Compassionate; tender; humane; gracious; kind; mild; clement; benignant.