from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Mercy \Mer"cy\ (m[~e]r"s[y^]), n.; pl. {Mercies}. [OE. merci, F.
merci, L. merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to
misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is probably akin to
merere to deserve, acquire. See {Merit}, and cf. {Amerce}.]
1. Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of
provocation, when one has the power to inflict it;
compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary;
clemency.
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Examples of justice must be made for terror to some;
examples of mercy for comfort to others. --Bacon.
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2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless;
sometimes, favor, beneficence. --Luke x. 37.
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3. Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity;
compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
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In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. --Sir T.
Elyot.
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4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or
favor.
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The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
--2 Cor. i. 3.
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{Mercy seat} (Bib.), the golden cover or lid of the Ark of
the Covenant. See {Ark}, 2.
{Sisters of Mercy} (R. C. Ch.),a religious order founded in
Dublin in the year 1827. Communities of the same name have
since been established in various American cities. The
duties of those belonging to the order are, to attend
lying-in hospitals, to superintend the education of girls,
and protect decent women out of employment, to visit
prisoners and the sick, and to attend persons condemned to
death.
{To be at the mercy of}, to be wholly in the power of.
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Syn: See {Grace}.
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