lēniō

lēniō uit.-lat.

From lēnis (“smooth, soft, gentle”).

Pronunciation

• (Classical Latin) IPA^(key): /ˈleː.ni.oː/, [ˈɫ̪eːnioː]
• (modern Italianate Ecclesiastical) IPA^(key): /ˈle.ni.o/, [ˈlɛːnio]

Verb

lēniō (present infinitive lēnīre, perfect active lēnīvī or lēniī, supine lēnītum); fourth conjugation

1. to soften, soothe [ synonyms, antonyms ▲]

   Synonyms: dēlēniō, levō, allevō, alleviō, molliō

   Antonyms: dūrō, obdūrō

2. to mollify, assuage, appease, pacify [ synonyms, antonyms ▲]

   Synonyms: sōpiō, mītigō, mānsuēscō, mānsuētō, commītigō, levō, sileō, plācō, restinguō, compōnō, domō, dēlēniō, sēdō, ēlevō, allevō, alleviō, coerceō

   Antonyms: sollicitō, excitō, īnstīgō, īnstinguō, efferō, exciō, perpellō, concieō, concitō, impellō, īnflammō, cieō, moveō, ērigō, mōlior, incendō, adhortor

Usage notes

• Virgil contracts the imperfect to lēnībat, lēnībant.