Hypertext Webster Gateway: "relent"

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Relent \Re*lent"\ (r?-l?nt"), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Relented}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Relenting}.] [F. ralentir, fr. L. pref. re- re-
+ ad to + lentus pliant, flexible, slow. See {Lithe}.]
1. To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to
melt; to deliquesce. [Obs.]

He stirred the coals till relente gan The wax again
the fire. --Chaucer.

[Salt of tartar] placed in a cellar will . . . begin
to relent. --Boyle.

When opening buds salute the welcome day, And earth,
relenting, feels the genial ray. --Pope.

2. To become less severe or intense; to become less hard,
harsh, cruel, or the like; to soften in temper; to become
more mild and tender; to feel compassion.

Can you . . . behold My sighs and tears, and will
not once relent? --Shak.

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Relent \Re*lent"\, v. t.
1. To slacken; to abate. [Obs.]

And oftentimes he would relent his pace. --Spenser.

2. To soften; to dissolve. [Obs.]

3. To mollify; to cause to be less harsh or severe. [Obs.]

From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)

Relent \Re*lent"\ (r?-l?nt"), n.
Stay; stop; delay. [Obs.]

Nor rested till she came without relent Unto the land
of Amazons. --Spenser.

From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)

relent
v : give in, as to influence or pressure [syn: {yield}, {soften}]
[ant: {stand}]


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