# mercy

Pronunciation: say "MUR-see" US /ˈmɝsi/, UK /ˈmɜːsi/

## Noun

1. Forgiveness or compassion shown to others, especially toward those who are weak, poor, or less fortunate.
   - Simple: Kindness and forgiveness shown to someone, especially to people who are weaker or in trouble.
   - _The victor showed mercy to the captured soldiers and spared their lives._
   - _Charity workers treat the homeless with great mercy and understanding._
2. A holding back from causing or allowing harm to another, when one has the power to do so.
   - Simple: A choice not to harm or punish someone when you could.
   - _The conquering army showed unexpected mercy, sparing the defeated city._
   - _Pleading for mercy, the prisoner vowed to change his ways._
3. A disposition toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion as a settled trait of character.
   - Simple: The habit of being kind and ready to forgive others.
   - _His natural mercy led him to forgive even those who had wronged him deeply._
   - _A ruler's mercy can shape how an entire kingdom treats its weakest members._
4. A particular act in which someone holds back from harm or grants forgiveness.
   - Simple: An act of kindness or forgiveness shown to someone.
   - _Releasing the debtors was an unexpected mercy that no one had predicted._
   - _The countless mercies he granted during his reign were recorded in the chronicles._
5. A welcome blessing; something fortunate that one can be grateful for.
   - Simple: A good thing that you are glad about or thankful for.
   - _It was a mercy that the storm passed before the festival began._
   - _Among life's small mercies, she counted the quiet of early morning._
7. A children's contest in which two players clasp hands and twist each other's arms until one yields.
   - Simple: A game where two kids grip hands and bend each other's arms until one gives up.
   - _During recess the kids competed at mercy near the fence._
   - _He never lost at mercy because his grip was so strong._

## Interjection

6. Spoken as a sudden exclamation to express surprise, shock, or alarm.
   - Simple: Said out loud to show surprise, shock, or alarm.
   - _Mercy! I never expected to see you here after all these years._
   - _Mercy, the whole field has flooded overnight._

## Verb

8. To treat someone with compassion by pardoning them or dealing with them leniently.
   - Simple: To forgive someone or punish them less because you feel kindness.
   - _The tribunal decided to mercy the defectors who had surrendered willingly._
   - _He prayed that the court would mercy his brother._
9. To experience an inward feeling of compassion, pity, or forgiveness toward another.
   - Simple: To feel kindness and a wish to forgive someone.
   - _Watching the orphans, the old soldier finally began to mercy._
   - _He could not help but mercy when he heard their story._

## Origin

Mercy comes from Middle English mercy, from Anglo-Norman merci, from Latin mercēs ("wages, fee, price"), which itself came from merx ("wares, merchandise"). It replaced the native Old English mildheortnes, literally "mildheartedness," and is related to French merci.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/mercy (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).