clemency

Where does the word "clemency" come from? It comes from Latin clementia, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Clemency’s story begins in Latin: clementia meant “mildness, mercy.” Mildness, mercy, from clemens (mild, merciful). It reached English by 1400s as clemency. Settled as the English word for mercy shown to an offender. Today, clemency means mercy shown, especially by someone with authority to punish.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient clementia "mildness, mercy", mildness, mercy, from clemens (mild, merciful).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s clemency "mercy shown toward an offender", settled as the English word for mercy shown to an offender.