CLEMENCY Meaning and
Definition
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Clemency is a noun that refers to the act of showing mercy or leniency towards someone who has committed a crime or offense. It is often a form of compassion shown by those in positions of authority, such as a judge or a ruler, in granting forgiveness or reduced punishment to an individual.
Clemency can take several forms, including granting a pardon, commutation, or reprieve. A pardon is an official act by which the punishment or consequences of a crime are completely forgiven and removed. Commutation involves lessening the severity of a punishment, such as reducing a death sentence to life imprisonment. Reprieve refers to the temporary suspension or postponement of a punishment, providing the convicted individual with a temporary relief or chance to appeal the decision.
The purpose of clemency is to acknowledge that individuals may have made mistakes or acted contrary to the law but deserve a second chance or an opportunity for rehabilitation. It recognizes that punishment alone may not always serve the best interests of society or the individual, and that mercy can help foster healing, forgiveness, and restoration.
Clemency is often granted after careful consideration of various aspects, including the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the individual's criminal history, as well as any mitigating factors or extenuating circumstances. It can also be influenced by public opinion, legal arguments, or advocacy efforts on behalf of the convicted individual.
In conclusion, clemency is the act of showing mercy or leniency to an individual who has committed a crime, often through the grant of a pardon, commutation, or reprieve. It is based on the belief in second chances and the potential for rehabilitation.
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Mildness in temper and disposition; gentleness; mercy; disposition to forgive or to spare.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for CLEMENCY *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for CLEMENCY
Etymology of CLEMENCY
The word "clemency" originated from the Latin term "clementia", which means "gentleness" or "mercy". It ultimately traces back to the Latin word "clemens", meaning "mild" or "kind". This Latin root is also related to other words like "lenient" and "merciful". Over time, "clementia" was adopted into Old French as "clemence", and later entered the English language as "clemency", maintaining its core meaning of mercy or forgiveness.
Similar spelling words for CLEMENCY
- clement,
- Clemon,
- clemenceau,
- Clemente,
- clementine,
- clemens,
- Clemencia,
- Clementina,
- Clemans,
- Clements,
- clementi,
- clemons,
- Clennon,
- clamant.
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