Lenient, a.
Etymology: [L. leniens, -entis, p. pr. of lenire to soften, fr. lenis soft, mild. Cf. Lithe.]
1. Relaxing; emollient; softening; assuasive; -- some "Lenient of grief." Milton. Of relax the fibers, are lenient, balsamic. Arbuthnot. Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand. Pope.
2. Mild; clement; merciful; not rigorous or severe; as, a lenient disposition; a lenient judge or sentence.
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Lenient, n. (Med.)
A lenitive; an emollient.