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mercy

Pronunciation: /ˈmɜːsi/

The English word “mercy” has 9 meanings listed here.

noun

  1. Relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another.
  2. Forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate.
  3. A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion.
  4. Instances of forbearance or forgiveness.
  5. A blessing; something to be thankful for.
  6. A children's game in which two players stand opposite with hands grasped and twist each other's arms until one gives in.

verb

  1. To feel mercy
  2. To show mercy; to pardon or treat leniently because of mercy

interjection

  1. Expressing surprise or alarm.

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.

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Definitions are from Wiktionary, extracted by Kaikki.org, and are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.