from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
MITIOR SENSUS, construction. The more lenient sense. It was formerly held in
actions for libel and slander, that when two or more constructions could be
put upon the words, one of which would not be actionable the words were to
be so construed, for verba accipienda sunt in mitiore sensu. 4 Co. 13, 20.
It is now, however, well established, that they are not to be taken in the
more lenient, or more severe sense, but in the sense which fairly belongs to
them, and which they were intended to convey. 2 Campb. 403; 2 T. R. 206.