relent

• POS: Verb (intransitive)
• HYPHEN: re=lent
• COUNT in NET: 10 in 10 verses (in OT : 10 in 10 verses)

CIDE DICTIONARY

relent, v. i. [F. ralentir, fr. L. pref. re- re- + ad to + lentus pliant, flexible, slow. See Lithe.].

•  To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to melt; to deliquesce.  [1913 Webster]

  "He stirred the coals till relente gan
  The wax again the fire."  [1913 Webster]

  "[Salt of tartar] placed in a cellar will . . . begin to relent."  [1913 Webster]

  "When opening buds salute the welcome day,
  And earth, relenting, feels the genial ray."  [1913 Webster]
•  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.  [1913 Webster]

  "Can you . . . behold
  My sighs and tears, and will not once relent?"  [1913 Webster]

relent, v. t. 

•  To slacken; to abate.  [1913 Webster]

  "And oftentimes he would relent his pace."  [1913 Webster]
•  To soften; to dissolve.  [1913 Webster]
•  To mollify ; to cause to be less harsh or severe.  [1913 Webster]

relent, n. 

 Stay; stop; delay.  [1913 Webster]
"Nor rested till she came without relent
Unto the land of Amazons."  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

relent, v.intr.
1 abandon a harsh intention.
2 yield to compassion.
3 relax one's severity; become less stern.

Etymology

ME f. med.L relentare (unrecorded), formed as RE- + L lentare bend f. lentus flexible

THESAURUS

relent

accede, accept, acquiesce, assent, be agreeable, be conservative, be moderate, be pacifistic, bend, capitulate, come round, comply, compromise, consent, die down, ease off, ebb, face the music, fall, forbear, forgive, give, give ground, give quarter, give way, go along with, have mercy upon, have pity, keep the peace, keep within bounds, keep within compass, knock under, knuckle down, knuckle under, let up, let up on, live temperately, live with it, melt, moderate, not make waves, not resist, obey, pardon, practice nonviolence, practice self-control, relax, remit, reprieve, resign, settle down, show mercy, show pity, slacken, sober down, soften, spare, strike a balance, submit, subside, succumb, swallow it, swallow the pill, take, take in sail, take it, take pity on, thaw, unbend, wane, yield

ROGET THESAURUS

relent

Moderation

VB be moderate, keep within bounds, keep within compass, sober down, settle down, keep the peace, remit, relent, take in sail, moderate, soften, mitigate, temper, accoy, attemper, contemper, mollify, lenify, dulcify, dull, take off the edge, blunt, obtund, sheathe, subdue, chasten, sober down, tone down, smooth down, weaken, lessen, check palliate, tranquilize, pacify, assuage, appease, swag, lull, soothe, compose, still, calm, calm down, cool, quiet, hush, quell, sober, pacify, tame, damp, lay, allay, rebate, slacken, smooth, alleviate, rock to sleep, deaden, smooth, throw cold water on, throw a wet blanket over, turn off, slake, curb, tame, smooth over, pour oil on the waves, pour oil on the troubled waters, pour balm into, mattre de l'eau dans son vin, go out like a lamb, roar you as gently as any sucking dove.

Pity

VB pity, have pity, show pity, take pity, commiserate, compassionate, condole, sympathize, feel for, be sorry for, yearn for, weep, melt, thaw, enter into the feelings of, forbear, relent, relax, give quarter, wipe the tears, parcere subjectis, give a coup de gr=ace, put out of one's misery, raise pity, excite pity, touch, soften, melt, melt the heart, propitiate, disarm, ask for mercy, supplicate, cry for quarter, beg one's life, kneel, deprecate.

Softness

VB render soft, soften, mollify, mellow, relax, temper, mash, knead, squash, bend, yield, relent, relax, give, plasticize'.