clemency

From Latin clēmentia.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈklɛ.mən.si/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈklɛ.mən.si/, /ˈklɛ.mənt.si/

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clemency (countable and uncountable, plural clemencies)

1. The gentle or kind exercise of power; leniency, mercy; compassion in judging or punishing.
   • 1601, William Shakespeare, Hamlet:

     For vs, and for our Tragedie, / Heere stooping to your Clemencie: / We begge your hearing Patientlie.

   • 2010, Priyamvada Gopal, The Guardian, 4 May 2010:

     A death sentence for Kasab, seen to represent Pakistan, will be widely supported in a frenzy of righteous retribution. Presidential clemency is politically improbable.

2. (law) A pardon, commutation, or similar reduction, removal, or postponement of legal penalties by an executive officer of a state.
3. (now rare) Mildness of weather.

• clement