a. [ad. L. clēment-em mild, placid, gentle. Mod.F. has also clément (in Cotgr. 1611).]
1. Of persons, their actions, etc.: Mild and humane in the exercise of power or authority; merciful, lenient, kindly, towards subjects or those in one’s power.
1483. Cath. Angl., 66. Clement, clemens.
1535. Stewart, Cron. Scot., II. 451. Ane victour suld be Curtas and clement, but crudelitie.
1578. Florio, 1st Fruites, 65. What more noble vertue can be in a Prince, then to be clement, ready to forgeve, and slowe to punishe?
1611. Shaks., Cymb., V. iv. 18. I know you are more clement than vilde men, Who of their broken Debtors take a third.
1742. Young, Nt. Th., IX. 272. The sweet, the clement, Mediatorial Hour!
1866. Felton, Anc. & Mod. Gr., II. ii. 283. A clement use of authority.
2. Of weather or climate: Mild, gentle; opposed to inclement. [So in Latin.] rare.
1622–62. Heylin, Cosmogr., I. (1682), 68. So clement and benign a soyl, that Roses grow there thrice a year.
1864. Daily Tel., 26 July, 3/5. During this clement weather … Paris has been enlivened by a series of fires.
Hence Clemently adv., mildly, mercifully.
1647. Jer. Taylor, Dissuas. Popery, I. ix. (1664), 131 (R.). O Mary Magdalen, hear our prayers … and most clemently reconcile this company unto Christ.
