lenity etymology

Etymology

• Latin: lenitas (softness, gentleness, mildness)
• Proto-Indo-European: *len- (to soften, yield)

Meaning

Lenity refers to a disposition of mercy, mildness, or indulgence. It involves showing compassion, understanding, and forgiveness in situations where harshness or punishment might otherwise be appropriate.

Origin

The word "lenity" has been in use in English since around the 16th century. It derives from the Latin word lenitas, which originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *len-, meaning "to soften" or "to yield." This reflects the idea that lenity is a softening or tempering of severity or harshness.

Examples of Lenity

• A judge showing leniency by sentencing a defendant to probation instead of imprisonment.
• A teacher pardoning a student for a minor infraction and giving them a second chance.
• A parent showing leniency by not punishing a child for a small mistake.

lenity relate terms

• alas

  Etymology The word alas derives from the Old English word eallās which originally

• allegiance

  Etymology Old French aleiance Latin allegantia from alleg allegare to send to di

• lassitude

  Etymology From French lassitude from Late Latin lassitūdo from Latin lassus weary

• last

  Etymology Middle English laste latest from Old English læst least lowest smalles

• late

  Etymology The word late comes from the Old English word læte which means slow or

• latter

  Etymology The word latter is derived from the Old English word lǣtra which means

• lenient

  Etymology The word lenient is derived from the Latin word lenis which means gentle

• lenitive

  Etymology The word lenitive comes from the Latin word lenis meaning mild soothing

• lenity

  Etymology Latin lenitas softness gentleness mildness Proto Indo European len to

• liege

  Etymology The word liege comes from the Old French word lige which in turn comes fr

• mercy

  Etymology Old French merci Late Latin merces reward payment Proto Indo European

• adventure

  Etymology Late Middle English from Old French aventure from Latin adventūra literal

• nurse

  Etymology Middle English nurse Old English nurse Proto Germanic nurstiz Proto Indo E

• stoic

  Etymology The word stoic is derived from the Greek word Στωικός Stoikos wh

• Jupiter

  Etymology The name Jupiter derives from the Latin language where it was originally kno

• hypothesis

  Etymology Derived from Ancient Greek hypothesis ὑπόθεσις meaning a placi

• compass

  Etymology Old French compas Latin compassus stride Vulgar Latin compassare to

• diligence

  Etymology Diligence comes from the Latin word diligentia which is derived from the ve

• conundrum

  Etymology The word conundrum is derived from the Latin phrase conundrāre meaning t

• spurious

  Meaning Spurious etymology is the false or mistaken belief about the origin or meaning o