relent

To relent is to become less severe, to soften in attitude or temper, or to give up on an intense position.

(verb)

An example of relent is when a very hard rain starts to let up a bit.
An example of relent is when a person who was sticking firmly to a harsh position eventually gives in.

See relent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

Origin: ME relenten, to melt, ult. < L < re-, again + lentus, flexible, pliant, slow: see lithe

transitive verb

Obsolete to cause to relent

See relent in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb re·lent·ed, re·lent·ing, re·lents

verb, intransitive

To become more lenient, compassionate, or forgiving. See Synonyms at yield.

verb, transitive
Obsolete

Origin:

Origin: Middle English relenten, to melt

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman relenter

Origin: , from relent, damp

Origin: : Latin re-, re-

Origin: + Latin lentus, sticky, slow

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