browse words by letter
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z
relent |
4 definitions found 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 1.6 [wn]: relent v : give in as to influence or pressure [syn: {yield}, {soften}] [ant: {stand}]
more about relent