\Re*lent"\ (r?-l?nt"), 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.]
         He stirred the coals till relente gan The wax again
         the fire.                             --Chaucer.
         [Salt of tartar] placed in a cellar will . . . begin
         to relent.                            --Boyle.
         When opening buds salute the welcome day, And earth,
         relenting, feels the genial ray.      --Pope.
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.
         Can you . . . behold My sighs and tears, and will
         not once relent?                      --Shak.

\Re*lent"\, v. t.
1. To slacken; to abate. [Obs.]
         And oftentimes he would relent his pace. --Spenser.
2. To soften; to dissolve. [Obs.]
3. To mollify; to cause to be less harsh or severe. [Obs.]

\Re*lent"\ (r?-l?nt"), n.
Stay; stop; delay. [Obs.]
      Nor rested till she came without relent Unto the land
      of Amazons.                              --Spenser.