"assuaging, palliating," early 15c., from Medieval Latin lenitivus, from Latin lenitus, past participle of lenire "to soften, alleviate, pacify" (from PIE root *lē- "to let go, slacken"). As a noun, "a lenitive medicine," from early 15c.
lengthy
lenience
leniency
lenient
Lenin
lenitive
lenity
Lennon
lens
Lent
Lenten