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Entries linking to leniency
lenient (adj.)
1650s, "relaxing, soothing" (a sense now archaic), from French lenient, from Latin lenientem (nominative leniens), present participle of lenire "to soften, alleviate, allay; calm, soothe, pacify," from lenis "mild, gentle, calm," which probably is from a suffixed form of PIE root *lē- "to let go, slacken."
The usual modern sense of "mild, merciful" (of persons or actions) is first recorded 1787. In earlier use was lenitive, attested from early 15c. of medicines, 1610s of persons. Related: Leniently.
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Definitions of leniency
leniency (n.)
mercifulness as a consequence of being lenient or tolerant;
leniency (n.)
a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone;
leniency (n.)
lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers;
Synonyms: lenience
Dictionary entries near leniency
lengthen
lengthways
lengthwise
lengthy
lenience
leniency
lenient
Lenin
lenitive
lenity
Lennon