A.gentle, soothing, Hom. mostly of speech, “μειλιχίοις ἐπέεσσι” Il.12.267, al.; “μ. μῦθος” Od.6.148, cf. B.10.90: without Subst., προσαυδᾶν μειλιχίοισι with gentle words, Il.4.256, 6.214; “οἱ δέ τ᾽ ἐς αὐτὸν τερπόμενοι λεύσσουσιν—ὁ δ᾽ ἀσφαλέως ἀγορεύει—αἰδοῖ μειλιχίῃ” Od.8.172; “θεὸν ὣς ἱλάσκονται αἰδοῖ μειλιχίῃ” Hes.Th.92. Adv. -ίως A.R.2.467, etc.: neut. as Adv., “μειλίχιον μυκήσατο” Mosch.2.97.
II. later of persons, mild, gracious, Ζεὺς M. the protector of those who invoked him with propitiatory offerings, at Athens, IG12.866 (written Μιλίχιος ), Th.1.126, X.An.7.8.4; at Orchomenus in Boeotia, IG7.3169 (written Μιλίχιος BCH50.422 (Thespiae)); in Argolis, Paus.2.20.1, etc.; of other divinities, as Dionysus, Plu.2.994a, etc.; “Κύπρις” AP5.225 (Paul. Sil.): Cret., Theraean Μηλίχιος GDI5046 (Hierapytna), al., IG12(3).406, 1316; early Ion. Μειλίχιος written Μελ - ib.12(5).727 (Andros); Arc. written Μελίχιος ib.5(2).90 (Tegea, perh. iv B. C.).