Lē'ni-ent1, a.
a. [Lat. leniens, p. pr. of lenire, to soften, from lenis, soft, mild; It. & Sp. leniente. Cf. LEAN.]
Sense 1. Relaxing; emollient.
Oils relax the fibers, are lenient, balsamic. Arbuthnot.
Sense 2. Softening; mitigating; assuasive; — sometimes followed by of. “Lenient of grief.” Milton.
Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand, Yet tames not this. Pope.
Sense 3. Acting without rigor or severity; mild; clement; merciful.