clemency

/ˈklɛmənsi/

/ˈklɛmɪnsi/

Other forms: clemencies

Say you're playing a role-playing game and you end up in one of the other player's dungeons. You could try begging her for clemency — compassion shown by people in power towards people who rebel or break the law.

Clemency is also a weather word, though nowadays it's much more common to hear people talk about "inclement weather" than, say, "the clemency of the storm." Derived from the Latin for "gentle", it came into usage in the 1550s. If you have trouble remembering its meaning, get rid of the "cle" and replace the "n" with an "r". You're left with "mercy", which more or less means the same thing.

Definitions of clemency

1. noun

   leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
   synonyms: mercifulness, mercy

   types:

   commutation, re-sentencing

   (law) the reduction in severity of a punishment imposed by law

   amnesty, free pardon, pardon

   the formal act of liberating someone

   quarter

   clemency or mercy shown to a defeated opponent

   reprieve, respite

   the act of reprieving; postponing or remitting punishment

   type of:

   lenience, leniency

   lightening a penalty or excusing from a chore by judges or parents or teachers
2. noun

   good weather with comfortable temperatures
   synonyms: mildness

   types:

   balminess, softness

   the quality of weather that is deliciously mild and soothing

   type of:

   good weather

   weather suitable for outdoor activities