lenitive noun & adjective. ['lɛnɪtɪv] LME.
[medieval Latin lenitivus, from Latin lenit- pa. ppl stem of lenire soften, formed as LENIS: see -IVE. Cf. Old & mod. French lénitif, -ive.]
A. noun.
1. A soothing medicine or medical appliance. LME.

2. Anything that mitigates or soothes; a palliative. E17.
b. adjective.
1. Of a medicine or medical appliance: soothing, gently laxative. Now rare. LME.

2. Of a person, a person's disposition, etc.: lenient, mild, gentle. Now obsolete exc. Scot. E17.

■ lenitively adverb E17.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲