leniency
noun
- legal term
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈliːni.ən(t)si/ / /ˈliːnjən(t)si/
noun
Etymology: From lenience + -y, from Latin lēn(iō) (“to soften, soothe”), from lēnis (“soft”).
- The quality of mercy or forgiveness, especially in the assignment of punishment as in a court case.
“The convicted felon asked for leniency, but because the crime was so heinous the judge refused and gave the maximum sentence.”
- An act of being lenient.