verb
Meaning 1
Render lenient or less severe.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: obsolete, rare, transitive
Examples
- 1603, Michel de Montaigne [aut.] and John Florio [tr.], The Essayes; or, Morall, Politike, and Millitarie Discourses of Lord Michaell de Montaigne (1st ed.), book III, chapter xii: “Of Phisiognomy” Ut magis peccari nolim, quam satis animi ad vindicanda peccata habeam: ‘So as I had rather men should not offend, then that I should have courage enough to punish their offences.’ Some report that Aristotle, being up-braided by some of his friends that he had beene over mercifull toward a wicked man, ‘I have indeede (quoth he) beene mercifull toward the man, but not toward his wickednesse.’ Ordinary judgements are exasperated unto punishment by the horror of the crime; And that enmildens mee. The horror of the first murther makes me feare a second; And the uglinesse of one cruelty induceth me to detest all maner of imitation of it.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided