/rɪ'lent; rɪ`lɛnt/
v [I]
1 decide to be less strict, determined or harsh 决定采取较为温和、缓和或宽容的态度和做法
*Afterwards she relented and let the children stay up late to watch TV. 後来她宽容了些, 让孩子们晚睡看电视.
* The police will not relent in their fight against crime. 警方在跟犯罪分子的斗争中决不手软.
2 (of the speed or rate of doing sth, etc) become less intense （指做某事等的速度或进度）减弱, 缓和
*The pressure on us to finish this task will not relent. 我们为完成此项任务受到的压力不会减轻.
3 (of bad weather) improve （指坏天气）变好
*The rain relented just long enough for me to go shopping. 雨小了一阵, 刚好够我去买东西的时间.

v [I]formal
[Date: 1300-1400; Language: Latin;Origin: lentare 'to bend']
to change your attitude and become less strict or cruel towards someone
= give in
　At last her father relented and came to visit her.