mercy

[ mur-see ]
/ ˈmɜr si /

noun, plural mer·cies for 4, 5.

compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

Idioms for mercy

    at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: They were at the mercy of their captors. Also at one's mercy.

Origin of mercy

1125–75; Middle English merci < Old French, earlier mercit < Latin mercēd- (stem of mercēs) wages (Late Latin, Medieval Latin: heavenly reward), derivative of merx goods

British Dictionary definitions for at one's mercy

mercy
/ (ˈmɜːsɪ) /

noun plural -cies

compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity
the power to show mercy to throw oneself on someone's mercy
a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairs his death was a mercy after weeks of pain
at the mercy of in the power of

Word Origin for mercy

C12: from Old French, from Latin mercēs wages, recompense, price, from merx goods

Idioms and Phrases with at one's mercy

mercy

see at the mercy of.