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
SYNONYMS FOR mercy
Words nearby mercy
Definition for mercy (2 of 2)
Mercy
[ mur-see ]
/ ˈmɜr si /
noun
a female given name.
Example sentences from the Web for mercy
British Dictionary definitions for 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 mercy
mercy
see at the mercy of.