relent

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

(verb)

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

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See relent in Webster's New World College Dictionary

intransitive verb

  1. to soften in temper, resolution, etc.; become less severe, stern, or stubborn
  2. Obsolete to melt

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
  1. To cause to slacken or abate.
  2. To cause to soften in attitude or temper.

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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