mercies
Variant of mercy
mercy
definition
mercy (mʉr′sē)
noun pl. mercies -·cies
- a refraining from harming or punishing offenders, enemies, persons in one's power, etc.; kindness in excess of what may be expected or demanded by fairness; forbearance and compassion
- imprisonment rather than the death penalty imposed on those found guilty of capital crimes
- a disposition to forgive, pity, or be kind
- the power to forgive or be kind; clemency to throw oneself on the mercy of the court
- kind or compassionate treatment; relief of suffering
- a fortunate thing; thing to be grateful for; blessing a mercy he wasn't killed
Etymology: OFr merci < L merces, hire, payment, reward (in LL, mercy, pity, favor) < merx, wares: see market
interjection
used to express surprise, annoyance, fear, etc.
mercy Idioms
at the mercy of
completely in the power of
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Comments
Improve this definition.
Share on Facebook