[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

mercy \mer"cy\ m~er"sy^, 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.
      1913 webster

            examples of justice must be made for terror to some;
            examples of mercy for comfort to others. --bacon.
      1913 webster

   2. compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless;
      sometimes, favor, beneficence. --luke x. 37.
      1913 webster

   3. disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity;
      compassion; willingness to spare or to help.
      1913 webster

            in whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. --sir t.
                                                  elyot.
      1913 webster

   4. a blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or
      favor.
      1913 webster

            the father of mercies and the god of all comfort.
                                                  --2 cor. i. 3.
      1913 webster

   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.
      1913 webster

   syn: see grace.
        1913 webster
see also:
mercies merit amerce mercy seat ark sisters of mercy 
to be at the mercy of grace 

Mercy >> M Words
Mercy, definition of term: Mercy
mercy_pag1.html

Sisters >> S Words
Sisters, definition of term: Sisters
sisters_pag1.html

Mercy Killing >> M Words
Mercy Killing, definition of term: Mercy Killing
mercy+killing_pag1.html

Mercy Seat >> M Words
Mercy Seat, definition of term: Mercy Seat
mercy+seat_pag1.html