lenient

The definition of lenient is someone who is not strict or a punishment that is not severe.

(adjective)

An example of something that would be described as lenient is a jail sentence of one day for armed robbery.

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See lenient in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

  1. not harsh or severe in disciplining, punishing, judging, etc.; mild; merciful; clement
  2. Archaic soothing

Origin: L leniens, prp. of lenire, to soften, alleviate < lenis, smooth, soft, mild < IE base *leī-: see late

Related Forms:

See lenient in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective
Inclined not to be harsh or strict; merciful, generous, or indulgent: lenient parents; lenient rules.

Origin:

Origin: Obsolete French

Origin: , from Latin lēniēns, lēnient-

Origin: , present participle of lēnīre, to pacify

Origin: , from lēnis, soft; see lē- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • leˈni·ent·ly adverb

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