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.