mercy

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Wikipedia

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Related terms 1.3.2 Translations 1.3.3 External links 2 Middle French 2.1 Noun

[edit] English

Wikipedia

[edit] Etymology

From Anglo-Norman merci, from Old French merci, from Latin mercēs (“‘wages, fee, price’”).

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA: /ˈmɜːsi/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

mercy (countable and uncountable; plural mercies)

1. (uncountable) relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another

   She took mercy on him and quit embarrassing him.

2. (uncountable) forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate.

   Have mercy on the poor and assist them if you can.

3. (uncountable) A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion

   Mercy is one of his many virtues.

4. (countable) Instances of forebearance or forgiveness.

   Psalms 40:11 Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord

5. A blessing, something to be thankful for.

   It was a mercy that we were not inside when the roof collapsed

[edit] Related terms

• merciless
• merciful

[edit] Translations

[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

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[edit] Middle French

[edit] Noun

mercy m. and f. (plural mercyz)

1. mercy (relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another)