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.
雙語例句
1. a plea for clemency
乞求開恩
來自《權威詞典》
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.
來自《現代漢英綜合大詞典》
3. Seventeen prisoners held on death row are to be executed after their pleas for clemency were turned down.
17名死刑犯申請寬大處理遭到駁回后即將被處決。
來自柯林斯例句
4. The question of clemency would rest with the King.
寬大處理問題,將由國王決定.
來自辭典例句
5. They addressed to the governor a plea for clemency.