misericord

or mis·er·i·corde

[ miz-er-i-kawrd, mi-zer-i-kawrd ]

noun

1. a room in a monastery set apart for those monks permitted relaxation of the monastic rule.
2. Also a small projection on the underside of a hinged seat of a church stall, which, when the seat is lifted, gives support to a person standing in the stall.
3. a medieval dagger, used for the mercy stroke to a wounded foe.

misericord

/ mɪˈzɛrɪˌkɔːd /

noun

1. a ledge projecting from the underside of the hinged seat of a choir stall in a church, on which the occupant can support himself while standing
2. Christianity
   1. a relaxation of certain monastic rules for infirm or aged monks or nuns
   2. a monastery where such relaxations can be enjoyed
3. a small medieval dagger used to give the death stroke to a wounded foe

Word History and Origins

Origin of misericord¹

1200–50; Middle English misericorde literally, pity, mercy, an act of clemency < Middle French < Latin misericordia pity, equivalent to misericord- (stem of misericors ) compassionate ( miseri-, stem of miserēre to pity + cord- stem of cor heart) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of misericord¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin misericordia compassion, from miserēre to pity + cor heart

Example Sentences

On one occasion there is an entry “Paid to the convent for the misericord of Thurlby, to wit 28 fowls, 12 gallons of beer and mustard and a gift to the prioress 9s., paid to the convent for the misericord of Corby 9s., paid to the pittancer for a pittance from Thurlby throughout the year 14s. 4d.”

From Project Gutenberg

And then out­cries, and Ellen beside me, falling, and as she fell I turned and saw my cloak slide with her, lantern and dagger on the road, misericord.

From Project Gutenberg

Even the shoe heels were carved as if on a medieval misericord, or shelf, showing an attention to detail and a polish new to this design duo.

From New York Times

The carving of her rolling a barrel has been made on a misericord, a small wooden shelf on the underside of a seat, in St Mary Magdalene church.

From BBC

His misericord also includes the theme of fishing in the River Teme.

From BBC