Clemency (5)
I believe the answer is:
mercy
'clemency' is the definition.
(I know that clemency can be written as mercy)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for mercy that I've seen before include "Clemency or compassion" , "Shakespeare 'The quality of . . . . . is not strained'" , "Compassion for the unfortunate" , "'The quality of ... is not strained' (The Merchant of Venice)" , "Compassion or forgiveness" .)