lenity
- noun
- /ˈlɛnɪti/
- Formal
:
lenidad
- For instance, the Rule of Lenity provides that even if a given course of conduct is already criminalized, a defendant should not be punished for violating it if the application of the statute to his case was ambiguous.
- rule of lenity
Examples
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Is it the case that the "social pressure brought to bear upon those" who fail to use the rule of lenity or the rule of constitutional avoidance is "great," as Hart would require?
Academic text (2017) -
For when lenity and cruelty play for a kingdom, the gentler gamester is the soonest winner.
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The relative weights of the respective interests involved... the lessons and examples of medical and legal history... the lenity of the common law... and the demands of the profound problems of the present day.
Academic text (1994) -
The rule of lenity, by which courts interpret ambiguous criminal statutes in favor of defendants, is one example of such a closure rule.
Academic text (2017) -
Additionally, for those same reasons (as well as presumably the rule of lenity), the "knowingly" requirement is deemed to apply to knowledge of age even though the average person would read it as applying only to the distribution, transportation, etc.
Blog text (27) -
The judge showed great lenity by giving the offender a lighter sentence after considering the circumstances.
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In his speech, he emphasized the need for lenity towards those who make mistakes out of ignorance.
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Her lenity in dealing with her students created a supportive and understanding classroom environment.
Synonyms
609
1.3
Kindness shown to someone who is suffering or could be punished
39
8.4
Mercy that a person in power gives, for example a judge or governor
26
4.6
Not being strict when judging or punishing someone
19
1.3
A kind, calm way of treating people or animals
3
1.8
A gentle, kind way of acting toward others
1
6.0
To be kind when judging or punishing people
1
3.3
A gentle, calm way of treating people
Kindness and forgiveness shown to people you could punish
Antonyms
How Lenient
Surface Forms
Morphology
lenity = lenient (transparent) = leni + ity
The noun denotes the state or quality of being 'lenient' and is directly related in meaning to the adjective, so learners who know 'lenient' can infer 'lenity'.
Etymology
Lenity comes from the Latin word lenis, which means 'soft' or 'gentle'. It is the same root as lenient, so lenity means a gentle, merciful way of treating someone.