inclemency
(ɪnˈklɛmənsɪ)
[ad. L. inclēmentia: see next and -ency. Cf. F. inclémence.]
The quality or condition of being inclement.
1. The opposite of mildness or temperateness of climate; severity of weather.
| 1559 W. Cuningham Cosmogr. Glasse Pref. A vj, In travailing, thou shalt not be molested with the inclemencye of th' Aere, boysterous windes [etc.]. 1603 Knolles Hist. Turks (1621) 70, I cannot.. longer endure the inclemencie and intemperature of the aire in this extreme hot season. 1725 Bradley Fam. Dict. s.v. Planting, Strong enough to bear the Inclemency of the weather. 1775 Adair Amer. Ind. 3, I saw..a white man..who, by the inclemency of the sun,..was tarnished with as deep an Indian hue, as any of the camp. 1844 H. H. Wilson Brit. India II. 381 His march was delayed by the inclemency of the weather. |
| transf. 1864 Howells Venet. Life vii. (1866) 95 Providence, tempering the inclemency of the domestic situation, sent them Giovanna. |
b. With
pl.: A particular instance of this.
| 1699 Garth Dispens. 9 Deep sunk in Down, they..Avoid th' Inclemencies of Morning Air. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. xiv. 288 Not fit to struggle with the inclemencies of a cold climate. 1749 Smollett Regicide v. vii, Who rest secure From all the inclemencies of stormy life. 1865 Lubbock Preh. Times xvi. (1878) 606 This gave him clothing against the varying inclemencies of the season. |
† 2. Want of clemency or kindliness of disposition; pitilessness, unmercifulness.
Obs.| 1598 Florio, Inclemenza, rigorousnes..mercilesnesse, inclemencie. 1610 Bp. Carleton Jurisd. 221 After his death Clement vsed all inclemency against me, setting vp another King. 1614 Bp. Hall Recoll. Treat., Imprese of God ii. 667 The inclemencie of the late Pope laboring to forestall him in his just throne. 1658 Phillips, Inclemency, rigour, sharpness, a being without pitty or compassion. |