clemency

英 ['klem?ns?] 美['kl?m?nsi]

GRE暢通詞匯

復(fù)數(shù):?clemencies;

clemency (n.): 1550s, "mildness or gentleness shown in exercise of authority," from Latin clementia "calmness, gentleness," from clemens "calm, mild," related to clinare "to lean" (see lean (v.)) + participial suffix -menos (also in alumnus). For sense evolution, compare inclined in secondary meaning "disposed favorably." Earlier in same sense was clemence (late 15c.).

Meaning "mildness of weather or climate" is 1660s (a sense also in Latin); clement (adj.) is older in both senses, late 15c. and 1620s respectively, but now is used only in negation and only of the weather.

2. Perform meritorious service to atone for one's crimes so as to obtain clemency from the people.: 立功贖罪,以求得人民的寬恕.

3. Seventeen prisoners held on death row are to be executed after their pleas for clemency were turned down.: 17名死刑犯申請寬大處理遭到駁回后即將被處決。