Clemency

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈklÉ›.mÉ™n.si/
• US IPA: /ˈklÉ›.mÉ™n.si/, /ˈklÉ›.mÉ™nt.si/

Origin

From Latin clementia.

Full definition of clemency

Noun

1. The gentle or kind exercise of power; leniency, mercy; compassion in judging or punishing.
• 1601, William Shakespeare, Hamlet:For vs, and for our Tragedie,
  Heere stooping to your Clemencie:
  We begge your hearing Patientlie.
• 2010, Priyamvada Gopal, The Guardian, 4 May 2010:A death sentence for Kasab, seen to represent Pakistan, will be widely supported in a frenzy of righteous retribution. Presidential clemency is politically improbable.
2. (now rare) Mildness of weather.

Related terms

• clement