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amerce
2 dictionary results for: Amercing
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
a·merce       [uh-murs] Pronunciation Key
–verb (used with object), a·merced, a·merc·ing.
1.to punish by imposing a fine not fixed by statute.
2.to punish by inflicting any discretionary or arbitrary penalty.
[Origin: 1250–1300; ME amercy < AF amerci(er) to fine, repr. (estre) a merci (to be) at (someone's) mercy. See a-5, mercy]

—Related forms
a·merce·a·ble, adjective
a·merce·ment, noun
a·merc·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
a·merce       (ə-mûrs')  Pronunciation Key 
tr.v.   a·merced, a·merc·ing, a·merc·es
  1. Law To punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily at the discretion of the court.
  2. To punish by imposing an arbitrary penalty.


[Middle English amercen, from Anglo-Norman amercier, from à merci, at the mercy of : à, to (from Latin ad; see ad-) + merci, mercy (from Latin mercēs, wages).]

a·merce'a·ble adj., a·merce'ment n.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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