len´ient|ly

len|ient «LEEN yuhnt, LEE nee uhnt», adjective.

1. mild or gentle; not harsh or stern; merciful; tolerant: »

a lenient judge, lenient punishment. My father was always very strict about how I talked to Mother, but he was more lenient if I yelled at my brother.

SYNONYM(S): compassionate, forbearing, indulgent.

2. Archaic. softening, soothing, or relaxing: »

Old Time…upon these wounds hath laid His lenient touches (Wordsworth).

SYNONYM(S): emollient.

╂[< Latin lēniēns, -eis, present participle of lēnīre soften < lēnis mild]

–len´ient|ly, adverb.