lentesco, ĕre, v. inch. n. [lentus], to become viscous or sticky; to become pliant, soft (perh. not ante-Aug.).
- I. Lit.: salix, si minus lenta est, in stercore obruenda, ut lentescat, Col. 11, 2, 92: sed picis in morem ad digitos lentescit habendo, becomes viscous, adheres, Verg. G. 2, 250: ut in picem resinamve lentescit, Tac. G. 45: gemma cerae modo lentescit, Plin. 37, 10, 70, § 185: metallum in virgulas lentescens, Hier. Ep. 24, n. 3.
- II. Trop., to slacken, relax: lentescunt tempore curae, Ov. A. A. 2, 357.
Of persons: non torpenti lentescit affectu, Ambros. in Luc. 8, 1.