v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Relented; p. pr. & vb. n. Relenting. ] [ F. ralentir, fr. L. pref. re- re- + ad to + lentus pliant, flexible, slow. See Lithe. ] 1. To become less rigid or hard; to yield; to dissolve; to melt; to deliquesce. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

He stirred the coals till relente gan
The wax again the fire. Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

[ Salt of tartar ] placed in a cellar will . . . begin to relent. Boyle. [ 1913 Webster ]

When opening buds salute the welcome day,
And earth, relenting, feels the genial ray. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

Can you . . . behold
My sighs and tears, and will not once relent? Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To slacken; to abate. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

And oftentimes he would relent his pace. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To soften; to dissolve. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

3. To mollify ; to cause to be less harsh or severe. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. Stay; stop; delay. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Nor rested till she came without relent
Unto the land of Amazons. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Unmoved by appeals for sympathy or forgiveness; insensible to the distresses of others; destitute of tenderness; unrelenting; unyielding; unpitying; as, a prey to relentless despotism. [ 1913 Webster ]

For this the avenging power employs his darts, . . .
Thus will persist, relentless in his ire. Dryden. [ 1913 Webster ]

-- Re*lent"less*ly, adv. -- Re*lent"less*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or process of relenting; the state of having relented. Sir T. Browne. [ 1913 Webster ]