Relent — Defs

01 v. i. To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to melt; to deliquesce.

imp. & p. p. Relented; p. pr. & vb. n. Relenting

1.
To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to melt; to deliquesce.[Obs.]
“He stirred the coals till relente gan The wax again the fire.” — Chaucer.

“[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.
2.
To become less severe or intense; to become less hard, harsh, 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.

02 v. t. To slacken; to abate.

1.
To slacken; to abate.[Obs.]
“And oftentimes he would relent his pace.” — Spenser.
2.
To soften; to dissolve.[Obs.]
3.
To mollify ; to cause to be less harsh or severe.[Obs.]

03 n. Stay; stop; delay.

1.
Stay; stop; delay.[Obs.]
“Nor rested till she came without relent Unto the land of Amazons.” — Spenser.