lenite

verb

le·​nite lə-ˈnīt How to pronounce lenite (audio)
lenited; leniting; lenites

transitive verb

: to transform by lenition

intransitive verb

: to undergo lenition

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from lenition

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of lenite was in 1912

Dictionary Entries Near lenite

Cite this Entry

“Lenite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lenite. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!