Lenient \Le"ni*ent\ (l[=e]"n[i^]*ent or l[=e]n"yent), a. [L.
   leniens, -entis, p. pr. of lenire to soften, fr. lenis soft,
   mild. Cf. {Lithe}.]
   
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   1. Relaxing; emollient; softening; assuasive; -- sometimes
      followed by of. "Lenient of grief." --Milton.
      
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            O?? relax the fibers, are lenient, balsamic.
                                                  --Arbuthnot.
      
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            Time, that on all things lays his lenient hand.
                                                  --Pope.
      
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   2. Mild; clement; merciful; not rigorous or severe; as, a
      lenient disposition; a lenient judge or sentence.
      
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Lenient \Le"ni*ent\, n. (Med.)
   A lenitive; an emollient.
   
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