mercy
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
See also Mercy
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
From Middle English merci, from Anglo-Norman merci (compare Old French merci, mercit), from Latin mercēdem, accusative of mercēs (“wages, fee, price”), from merx (“wares, merchandise”). Displaced native Middle English are, ore "mercy" (from Old English ār "mercy, grace"), Middle English mildse "mercy, clemency" (from Old English milds, milts "mercy, kindness").
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
mercy (countable and uncountable; plural mercies)
- (uncountable) relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another
- She took mercy on him and quit embarrassing him.
- (uncountable) forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate.
- Have mercy on the poor and assist them if you can.
- (uncountable) A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion
- Mercy is one of his many virtues.
- (countable) Instances of forbearance or forgiveness.
- Psalms 40:11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord
- A blessing, something to be thankful for.
- It was a mercy that we were not inside when the roof collapsed
[edit] Related terms
[edit] Translations
relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another
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forgiveness or compassion
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tendency toward forgiveness
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blessing
- The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables, removing any numbers. Numbers do not necessarily match those in definitions. See instructions at Help:How to check translations.
Translations to be checked
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[edit] External links
- mercy in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
- mercy in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
[edit] Middle French
[edit] Noun
mercy m. and f. (plural mercyz)
- mercy (relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another)
