[ad. L. clēmentia, n. of state f. clēment-em CLEMENT: see -ENCY.]
1. Mildness or gentleness of temper, as shown in the exercise of authority or power; mercy, leniency.
1553. Q. Mary’s Proclam., in Strype, Eccl. Mem., III. App. v. 8. Her [the Queen’s] great and aboundaunte clemencie.
1555. Eden, Decades W. Ind., III. I. (Arb.), 141. To persuade hym of the clemencie of owre men.
1639. Fuller, Holy War, I. xvi. (1840), 27. A prince no less famous for his clemency than his conquests.
1716. Addison, Freeholder, No. 31. I have stated the true notion of clemency, mercy, compassion, good-nature, humanity, or whatever else it may be called, so far as is consistent with wisdom.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), III. xvi. 232. Clemency … is the standing policy of constitutional governments, as severity is of despotism.
1869. Lecky, Europ. Mor., I. xi. 199. Clemency is an act of judgment, but pity disturbs the judgment.
† b. as a title. Obs. rare.
a. 1600. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., VIII. vii. § 4. May it please your clemencies to grant unto him the church of Tusculum.
2. Mildness of weather or climate; opposed to inclemency, severity.
1667. E. Chamberlayne, St. Gt. Brit., I. I. iv. (1743), 31. By reason of the clemency of the climate.
1750. Johnson, Rambler, No. 5, ¶ 8. The clemency of the weather.
1853. C. Brontë, Villette, xv. (1876), 153. It rained still and blew; but with more clemency.
