Relent

v. i. [imp. & p. p. RELENTED; p. pr. & vb. n. RELENTING.] [Fr. ralentir, O. Fr. alentir, It. rallentare, allentare, Pr. alentar, alentir, from Lat. lentus, pliant, flexible, slow.]

1Sense 1. To become less rigid or hard; to lose compactness; to give way; to yield; to dissolve; to deliquesce; to relax. [Obs.]

In some houses sweetmeats will relent more than in others. Bacon.

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.

2Sense 2. To become less intense. [Rare.] Sidney.

3Sense 3. To become less harsh, hard, 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.

v. t. [Obs.] 1. To slacken. And oftentimes he would relent his pace. Spencer. 2. To soften; to mollify. Spencer.

Dissolved; melted. [Obs.]

n. Remission; stay; stop; delay. [Obs.] She came without relent unto the land of Amazons. Spencer.