1  definition  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Mercy  \Mer"cy\,  n.;  pl  {Mercies}.  [OE.  merci,  F.  merci,  L. 
  merces,  mercedis,  hire,  pay  reward,  LL.,  equiv.  to 
  misericordia  pity,  mercy.  L.  merces  is  prob?  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. 
 
  Examples  of  justice  must  be  made  for  terror  to  some 
  examples  of  mercy  for  comfort  to  others  --Bacon. 
 
  2.  Compassionate  treatment  of  the  unfortunate  and  helpless; 
  sometimes  favor,  beneficence.  --Luke  x.  37. 
 
  3.  Disposition  to  exercise  compassion  or  favor;  pity; 
  compassion;  willingness  to  spare  or  to  help. 
 
  In  whom  mercy  lacketh  and  is  not  founden.  --Sir  T. 
  Elyot. 
 
  4.  A  blessing  regarded  as  a  manifestation  of  compassion  or 
  favor. 
 
  The  Father  of  mercies  and  the  God  of  all  comfort. 
  --2  Cor.  i.  3. 
 
  {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 
 
  Syn:  See  {Grace}. 

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