amerce
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Anglo-Norman amercier, from Old French a (“at”) + merci (“mercy”), thus “at the mercy of”.
Pronunciation
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "GenAm" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /əˈmɝs/
- Lua error in Module:parameters at line 290: Parameter 1 should be a valid language or etymology language code; the value "RP" is not valid. See WT:LOL and WT:LOL/E. IPA(key): /əˈmɜːs/
- Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)s
Verb
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- (transitive) To impose a fine on; to fine.
- 1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene I:
- But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine
- That you shall all repent the loss of mine:
- 1803, David Hume, The History of England, Volume 9, J. Wallis (1803), page 10:
- The person, in whose house the conventicle met, was amerced a like sum.
- 2002, Christopher Dyer, Making a Living in the Middle Ages: The People of Britain 850-1520, Yale University Press (2002), →ISBN, page 180:
- Lords responded to these offences by amercing (fining) them in the manor court, the revenues of which could provide a twentieth, or even a higher proportion of estate income.
- 1597, William Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet, Act III, Scene I:
- (transitive) To punish; to make an exaction.
- 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I, ll. 607-10:
- The fellows of his crime, the followers rather
- (Far other once beheld in bliss), condemn'd
- For ever now to have their lot in pain,
- Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't
- 1821, Byron, Cain, Act III, Scene I:
- Thou know'st thou art naked! Must the time
- Come thou shalt be amerced for sins unknown,
- 1667, John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book I, ll. 607-10:
Derived terms
Related terms
Translations
to impose a fine on — see fine
to make an exaction — see punish