mercy

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice

   They threw themselves on the mercy of the court.

2. 2
   noun

   something for which to be thankful

   it was a mercy we got out alive

3. 3
   noun

   Relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another.

   She took mercy on him and quit embarrassing him.

4. 4
   noun

   Forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate.

   Have mercy on the poor and assist them if you can.

5. 5
   noun

   A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion.

   Mercy is one of his many virtues.

6. 6
   noun

   Instances of forbearance or forgiveness.

   1982, Bible (NKJV), Psalm 40:11a Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord

7. 7
   noun

   A blessing; something to be thankful for.

   It was a mercy that we were not inside when the roof collapsed

8. 8
   verb

   To feel mercy

   I despised her; but I mercied her, too, and gave her sweet berries to eat, and led her to my lodge, and said to my best wife, ' Get up from my best skin, for the white squaw is a guest, and is weary.'

Etymology

From Middle English mercy, merci, from Anglo-Norman merci (compare continental Old French merci, mercit), from Latin mercēs (“wages, fee, price”), from merx (“wares, merchandise”). Displaced native Old English mildheortnes (literally "mildheartedness"). Cognate with French merci, whence the doublet merci.