milse

milse

English Verb

Definition

To be merciful to; show clemency to; pardon.

Etymology

From Middle English milsen, milcen, milcien, from Old English miltsian (“to compassionate, pity, show mercy, soften, make merciful”), from Proto-Germanic *mildisjō (“kindness”), from Proto-Germanic *mildijaz (“mild”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)mel- (“to beat, grind”). Related to Old English milts (“mercy, compassion, benevolence, kindness, favor, joy”), Old English milde (“mild, merciful, kind, generous, gentle, meek”). More at mild.