MERCY • E-FREE TRANSLATION.COM • Definition of Mercy

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/mˈərsi/ Listen

noun

Mercy n. (pl. mercies)

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. "Examples of justice must be made for terror to some; examples of mercy for comfort to others."

2.

Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence.

3.

Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help. "In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden."

4.

A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor. "The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort."

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.

Synonyms: See Grace.

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Etymology of 'Mercy'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"Mercy" Quotes from Famous Books

... would surely be murdered, for as well might Frank hope to escape the blood-thirsty jaws of a wild beast, if in its power, as to expect mercy from these ...

— Golden Days for Boys and Girls - Volume XIII, No. 51: November 12, 1892 • Various

... ark of the covenant overlaid on every side with gold, wherein was the golden pot containing the manna, and the rod of Aaron which budded, and the tables of the covenant; (5)and above it the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy-seat; of which we can ...

— The New Testament of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. • Various

... converging fences. As they closed up, the Hurons imitated very cleverly the yapping of wolves. This frightened the deer still more, so that they huddled at last into the final enclosure, where they were so tightly packed that they were completely at the men's mercy. "I assure you," writes Champlain, "there is a singular pleasure in this chase, which takes place every two days, and has been so successful that in thirty-eight days one hundred and twenty deer were captured. These were made ...

— Pioneers in Canada • Sir Harry Johnston

... his search, came upon him unawares and fast asleep. He was immediately aroused from his slumbers, when beholding his perilous situation, he commenced pleading most earnestly for his life, and promised to leave the neighborhood. Forney could not resist such touching appeals to his mercy, and kindly let him off. In a few days afterward the Tory, true to his promise, left the ...

— Sketches of Western North Carolina, Historical and Biographical • C. L. Hunter

... the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall My Heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother his trespasses.' It's an awful thing when the Heavenly Father delivers a soul to the tormentors! May God in His infinite mercy deliver thee; only take heed that thou drive not away His Holy Spirit ...

— The Christmas Child • Hesba Stretton

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