relent

== English == === Etymology === 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. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ɹɪˈlɛnt/ Rhymes: -ɛnt === Noun === relent (plural relents) A stay; a stop; a delay. (obsolete) A relenting. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === relent (third-person singular simple present relents, present participle relenting, simple past and past participle relented) (intransitive) To give in or be swayed; to become less hard, harsh, or cruel; to show clemency. (intransitive) To slacken; to abate. (obsolete, transitive) To lessen, make less severe or intense. (dated, intransitive, of substance) To become less rigid or hard; to soften; to yield, for example by dissolving or melting ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === relent (comparative more relent, superlative most relent) (obsolete) Softhearted; yielding. === References === == French == === Etymology === From re- +‎ lent (“slow”), in the sense “lingering”. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ʁə.lɑ̃/ === Noun === relent m (plural relents) lingering smell (usually bad); stench (figuratively) overtone === Further reading === “relent”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012 == Middle English == === Verb === relent alternative form of relenten