mercy

¹

[ mur-see ]

noun

, plural mer·cies

1. 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.

   Synonyms: tenderness, mildness, lenity, leniency, clemency, indulgence, forgiveness

   Antonyms: cruelty

2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing:

   an adversary wholly without mercy.

3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor:

   She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing:

   It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

Mercy

²

[ mur-see ]

noun

1. a female given name.

mercy

/ ˈmɜːsɪ /

noun

1. compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity
2. the power to show mercy

   to throw oneself on someone's mercy

3. a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairs

   his death was a mercy after weeks of pain

4. at the mercy of
   in the power of

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English merci, from Old French, earlier mercit, from Latin mercēd-, stem of mercēs “wages” ( Late Latin, Medieval Latin: “heavenly reward”), derivative of merc-, stem of merx “commodity, goods, merchandise”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: Also at one's mercy.

   They were at the mercy of their captors.

More idioms and phrases containing mercy

see at the mercy of .

Related Words

• benevolence
• blessing
• charity
• clemency
• forgiveness
• generosity
• goodwill
• grace
• leniency
• pity
• sympathy
• tolerance