relent
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relent
- /ɹɪˈlɛnt/
Rhymes with -ɛnt
Where it comes from
From Middle English relenten, from Anglo-Norman relentir, from Latin re- + lentare (“to bend”), from lentus (“soft, pliant, slow”). Earliest recording dates to 1526. The noun is from the verb.
verb relents · relenting · relented
- To give in or be swayed; to become less hard, harsh, or cruel; to show clemency. He had planned to ground his son for a month, but relented and decided to give him a stern lecture instead.
- To slacken; to abate. We waited for the storm to relent before we ventured outside.
- To lessen, make less severe or intense. But nothing might relent her hastie flight; / So deepe the deadly feare of that foule swaine / Was earst impressed in her gentle spright […]
- To become less rigid or hard; to soften; to yield, for example by dissolving or melting [Salt of tartar] placed in a cellar will […] begin to relent.
noun relents
- A stay; a stop; a delay. There was no relent, my dear, as we pulled each other in.
- A relenting.
adjective more relent · most relent
- Softhearted; yielding.
