Linent
/ˈlaɪ.nənt/noun
An obsolete word meaning mild, soothing, or lenient.
Did you know?“Linent” is an obsolete variant connected with the Latin root for “soft” or “gentle,” the same source that produced “lenient.”
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*lendʰ-
“To be soft, yielding, or gentle; the proposed ancestral root behind the Latin family.”
Ancient Latin
Latin
lenis
“Soft, mild, gentle, or not harsh.”
Classical Latin
Latin
lenire
“To soften, soothe, or make less severe.”
Middle English
English
lenient
“Mild or merciful; derived through French and Latin influence.”
Early Modern English
English
linent
“An obsolete variant meaning soft, soothing, or lenient.”
Modern English
English
linent
“Archaic and rarely encountered; generally replaced by “lenient” or “liniment” in modern usage.”