lenity

  • 1Lenity — Len i*ty ( t[y^]), n. [L. lenitas, fr. lenis soft, mild: cf. OF. lenit[ e]. See {Lenient}.] The state or quality of being lenient; mildness of temper or disposition; gentleness of treatment; softness; tenderness; clemency; opposed to {severity}… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2lenity — index clemency, humanity (humaneness), indulgence, lenience, moderation, pity Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton …

    Law dictionary

  • 3lenity — softness, early 15c., from M.Fr. lénité or directly from L. lenitatem (nom. lenitas), from lenis soft, mild (see LENIENT (Cf. lenient)) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 4lenity — clemency, *mercy, charity, grace Analogous words: leniency, indulgence, clemency, mercifulness, forbearance, tolerance (see under FORBEARING): benignity, benignancy, kindliness, kindness (see corresponding adjectives at KIND): compassionateness… …

    New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • 5lenity — [len′ətē] n. [OFr lenité < L lenitas < lenis, mild: see LENIENT] 1. the quality or condition of being lenient; mildness; gentleness; mercifulness 2. pl. lenities a lenient act SYN. MERCY …

    English World dictionary

  • 6Lenity — (Roget s Thesaurus) < N PARAG:Lenity >N GRP: N 1 Sgm: N 1 lenity lenity lenience leniency Sgm: N 1 moderation moderation &c. 174 Sgm: N 1 tolerance tolerance toleration Sgm: N 1 mildness mildness gentleness …

    English dictionary for students

  • 7Lenity Rule — This rule provides that where there is ambiguity in the language of a statute concerning multiple punishment, ambiguity should be resolved in favor of lenity in sentencing. U.S. v. Harrington, C.A.Va., 662 F.2d 1046, 1054 …

    Black's law dictionary

  • 8Lenity Rule — This rule provides that where there is ambiguity in the language of a statute concerning multiple punishment, ambiguity should be resolved in favor of lenity in sentencing. U.S. v. Harrington, C.A.Va., 662 F.2d 1046, 1054 …

    Black's law dictionary

  • 9lenity — noun Date: 1548 the quality or state of being lenient ; clemency …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 10lenity — /len i tee/, n., pl. lenities. 1. the quality or state of being mild or gentle, as toward others. 2. a lenient act. [1540 50; < L lenitas. See LENIS, TY2] * * * …

    Universalium