Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Nearby Entries
amerced - 2 dictionary results

a⋅merce

  [uh-murs]
Use amerced in a Sentence
–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
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To amerced
a·merce   (ə-mûrs')   
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see amerced on Thesaurus | Reference