- clemency
- 1550s, "mildness or gentleness shown in exercise of authority," from L. clementia "calmness, gentleness," from clementem (nom. clemens) "calm, mild," related to -clinare "to lean" (see lean (v.)). Meaning "mildness of weather or climate" is 1667; clement (adj.) is older in both senses, 1483 and 1622 respectively, but now is used only in negation and only of the weather.