amerce

[ uh-murs ]
See synonyms for: amerceamercement on Thesaurus.com

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 of amerce

1
1250–1300; Middle English amercy<Anglo-French amerci(er) to fine, representing (estre) a merci (to be) at (someone's) mercy. See a-5, mercy

Other words from amerce

  • a·merce·a·ble, adjective
  • a·merce·ment, noun
  • a·merc·er, noun
  • un·a·merce·a·ble, adjective
  • un·a·merced, adjective

Words Nearby amerce

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use amerce in a sentence

  • Nay, but they will hold thee to ransom, and detain thee till it is brought: I heard them amerce thee at a thousand marks.

    The House of Walderne | A. D. Crake
  • I amerce myself, then, to you in that sum; and they will be sufficient sureties for the money.

  • In your greatness ye shall change it; with your justice ye shall purify it; with your clemencies ye should it chasten and amerce.

    Privy Seal | Ford Madox Ford
  • But perhaps I could pay you a mina of silver: in that sum, then, I amerce myself.

British Dictionary definitions for amerce

amerce

/ (əˈmɜːs) /


verb(tr) obsolete
  1. law to punish by a fine

  2. to punish with any arbitrary penalty

Origin of amerce

1
C14: from Anglo-French amercier, from Old French à merci at the mercy (because the fine was arbitrarily fixed); see mercy

Derived forms of amerce

  • amerceable, adjective
  • amercement, noun
  • amercer, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012