Re-lēnt'1, v. i.
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.]
Sense 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.
Sense 2. To become less intense. [Rare.] Sidney.
Sense 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.