human1ty, human i tee

[O. Fr. human iteit; from Lat. humanitatem, acc, of human it as, from human us = human, humane; Fr. human ité; Ital. umanità; Sp. human i dad.] 1. The quality or state of being human; human nature; the especial characteristics or properties which distinguish man from other beings. "They imitated humanity so abominably." Shakesp.: Hamlet, iii. 2. 2. Mankind collectively; humankind; human beings; man. "He is able to teach all humanity , and will do well to oblige mankind by his information." -Glanvill. fate, făt, färe, amidst, what, fall, "Gods beneficent, who ble ed mankind With arts, with arms, and humanized a world." Thomson: Winter , 435. 2. To render human; to invest with the character of humanity; to give a human character to. 3. To adapt to human powers or faculties. "So crates hath humanized , as I may so say, philosophy." -P. Holland: Plutarch, p. 986. B. In trans.: To become humane or humanized; to be softened or refined; to become more civilized. hū-man-iz-er, s. [Eng. humaniz(e); er.] One who or that which humanizes.