I.v. inch. n. [molleo], to become soft, to soften (poet. and in post-Aug. prose; cf. liquesco).
I. Lit.: “rura colit nemo: mollescunt colla juvencis,” Cat. 64, 38: “ebur,” Ov. M. 10, 283: “tactu,” Plin. 12, 17, 37, § 76.—
II. Trop.
1. To become soft, mild, or gentle: “tum genus humanum primum mollescere coepit,” Lucr. 5, 1014: “pectora,” Ov. P. 1, 6, 8.—
2. To become effeminate, unmanly: “mollescat in undis,” Ov. M. 4, 386: “ne forte mollescat cor vestrum,” Vulg. Jer. 51, 46.