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.
双语例句
1. a plea for clemency
乞求开恩
来自《权威词典》
2. Perform meritorious service to atone for one's crimes so as to obtain clemency from the people.
立功赎罪,以求得人民的宽恕.
来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3. Seventeen prisoners held on death row are to be executed after their pleas for clemency were turned down.
17名死刑犯申请宽大处理遭到驳回后即将被处决。
来自柯林斯例句
4. The question of clemency would rest with the King.
宽大处理问题,将由国王决定.
来自辞典例句
5. They addressed to the governor a plea for clemency.
