LE'NIENT, adjective [Latin leniens, from lenio, lenis, soft, mild. 1. Softening; mitigating; assuasive. Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand, yet tames not this. Sometimes with of; as lenient of grief. 2. Laxative; emollient. Oils relax the fibers, are lenient balsamic. LE'NIENT, noun That which softens or assuages; an emollient.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI