mercy

¹

[mur-see]

noun

plural

mercies 

1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence.

   Have mercy on the poor sinner.

   Synonyms: tenderness, lenity, leniency, clemency, indulgence, forgiveness, mildness
   Antonyms: cruelty

2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing.

   an adversary wholly without mercy.

3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.

4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor.

   She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.

5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing.

   It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.

Mercy

²

[mur-see]

noun

1. a female given name.

mercy

/ ˈmɜːsɪ /

noun

1. compassionate treatment of or attitude towards an offender, adversary, etc, who is in one's power or care; clemency; pity

2. the power to show mercy

   to throw oneself on someone's mercy

3. a relieving or welcome occurrence or state of affairs

   his death was a mercy after weeks of pain

4. in the power of

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English merci, from Old French, earlier mercit, from Latin mercēd-, stem of mercēs “wages” ( Late Latin, Medieval Latin: “heavenly reward”), derivative of merc-, stem of merx “commodity, goods, merchandise”

Word History and Origins

Origin of mercy¹

C12: from Old French, from Latin mercēs wages, recompense, price, from merx goods

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. at the mercy of, entirely in the power of; subject to: Also at one's mercy.

   They were at the mercy of their captors.

see at the mercy of.

Example Sentences

But on this trek he had lost his pack and was at the mercy of the elements ever since, hungry, dehydrated and shivering under a bed of needles.

From Los Angeles Times

He told him there would be no further chances, adding: "Justice, on occasion, needs to be seasoned with mercy."

From BBC

Silber’s “Mercy” is not strained, pace Shakespeare, but stretches easily to include “the mercy of untold secrets told.”

From Los Angeles Times

Hours later, as the stands continued to clear, the fourth quarter became more a question of mercy than anything.

From Los Angeles Times

Down to 14, Wales were even more exposed and there was no mercy as Perry crashed over, followed by replacement Kassil off the back of a powerful maul.

From BBC

Related Words

• benevolence 
• blessing 
• charity 
• clemency 
• forgiveness 
• generosity 
• goodwill 
• grace 
• leniency 
• pity 
• sympathy 
• tolerance