mercies

Variant of mercy

mercy definition

mercy (mʉr′sē)

noun pl. mercies -·cies

  1. 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
  2. imprisonment rather than the death penalty imposed on those found guilty of capital crimes
  3. a disposition to forgive, pity, or be kind
  4. the power to forgive or be kind; clemency to throw oneself on the mercy of the court
  5. kind or compassionate treatment; relief of suffering
  6. 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.

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