mercy

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English mercy, merci, from Anglo-Norman merci (compare continental Old French merci, mercit), from Latin mercēs (“wages, fee, price”), from merx (“wares, merchandise”). Displaced native Old English mildheortnes (literally "mildheartedness"). Cognate with French merci, whence the doublet merci. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈmɜːsi/ (General American) enPR: mûrʹsē, IPA(key): /ˈmɝsi/ Hyphenation: mer‧cy Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)si === Noun === mercy (countable and uncountable, plural mercies) (uncountable) Relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another. Synonyms: ruth, kindness, leniency, quarter Antonyms: mercilessness, ruthlessness, cruelty (uncountable) Forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate. Synonyms: pity, sympathy; see also Thesaurus:compassion (uncountable) A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion. (countable) Instances of forbearance or forgiveness. 1982, Bible (NKJV), Psalm 40:11a Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord (countable) A blessing; something to be thankful for. (uncountable) A children's game in which two players stand opposite with hands grasped and twist each other's arms until one gives in. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === mercy (third-person singular simple present mercies, present participle mercying, simple past and past participle mercied) To feel mercy To show mercy; to pardon or treat leniently because of mercy === Interjection === mercy Expressing surprise or alarm. ==== Further reading ==== “mercy”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “mercy”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. == Middle English == === Etymology === From Old French mercier. === Verb === mercy alternative form of mercien == Middle French == === Noun === mercy m or f (plural mercys) mercy (relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another)