CLEMENCY

clemency (klem-[schwa]n-see), n. Mercy or leniency; esp., the power of the President or a governor to pardon a criminal or commute a criminal sentence. — Also termed executive clemency. See PARDON; COMMUTATION. [Cases: Pardon and Parole 21. C.J.S. Pardon and Parole §§ 1–2, 5.] — clement (klem-[schwa]nt), adj.