softness Copy link Outline I. As physical quality1. mollĭtia or mollĭties, ei2. mollĭtūdo (more rare)3. tĕnĕrĭtas4. tĕnĕrĭtūdo (of the earth), Varr. R. R. 1, 36.5. lēnĭtasII. Sensitiveness1. mollĭtia2. mollĭtūdoIII. Mildness, civilityIV. Weakness, irresolutionV. Unmanly softness, effeminacy • softness: I. As physical quality: 1. mollĭtia or mollĭties, ei: Cic. 2. mollĭtūdo (more rare): s. resembling sponges, m. assimilis spongiis, Cic. N. D. 2, 55, 136: s. (i. e. flexibility) of the voice, m. vocis, Auct. Her. 3, 11, 20: v. flexibility. 3. tĕnĕrĭtas: s. of grapes, t. uvarum, Plin. 15, 24, 29, § 100. Join: t. et mollities (fig.), Cic. Fin. 5, 21, 58. 4. tĕnĕrĭtūdo (of the earth), Varr. R. R. 1, 36. 5. lēnĭtas: l. vini, opp. asperitas: Plin.: cf. l. vocis, Cic. de Or. 2, 43, 182: the s. of the green hue of the emerald, smaragdi viridis lenitas, Plin. 37, 5, 16, § 63: cf. color leniter blandus, id. 37, 9, 40, § 122. II. Sensitiveness: 1. mollĭtia: Join: s. and gentleness of mind, mollitia ac lenitas, Cic. Sull. 6, 18. 2. mollĭtūdo: s. of refinement, m. humanitatis, Cic. de Or. 3, 40, 161: v. sensitiveness, susceptibility. III. Mildness, civility: făcĭlĭtas: lēnĭtas: lenitas, opp. severitas, Cic. Cat. 2, 4, 6: v. good-nature, gentleness. IV. Weakness, irresolution: mollĭties, mollĭtia: Join: mollitia et inertia animi, Sall. C. 52: m. socordiaque, id. J. 70: v. fickleness. V. Unmanly softness, effeminacy: mollĭtia, mollĭties: v. effeminacy.