Dictionary

enmilden en · VERB

Pronunciation

• /ɛnˈmaɪldə̆n/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• ĕnmīlʹdə̆n (Received-Pronunciation)

Etymology

From en- + milden.

Meanings

1. (obsolete, rare, transitive) Render lenient or less severe.
   • 1603, Michel de Montaigne [aut.] and John Florio [tr.], The Essayes; or, Morall, Politike, and Millitarie Discourses of Lord Michaell de Montaigne (1st ed.), book III, chapter xii: “Of Phisiognomy” Ut magis peccari nolim, quam satis animi ad vindicanda peccata habeam: ‘So as I had rather men should not offend, then that I should have courage enough to punish their offences.’ Some report that Aristotle, being up-braided by some of his friends that he had beene over mercifull toward a wicked man, ‘I have indeede (quoth he) beene mercifull toward the man, but not toward his wickednesse.’ Ordinary judgements are exasperated unto punishment by the horror of the crime; And that enmildens mee. The horror of the first murther makes me feare a second; And the uglinesse of one cruelty induceth me to detest all maner of imitation of it.

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