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mer·cy

mercy

pronunciation:: muhr si
features:: Word History

part of speech:	noun
inflections:	mercies
definition 1:	If a judge treats a prisoner with mercy, the judge does not punish the prisoner as much as he or she could. If a student does something very wrong and the school principal shows mercy to them, the principal gives them only a mild punishment, or they stop the punishment they are already giving. Mercy is a type of kindness or a kind way of treating someone. The man was afraid to go to jail, and he begged the judge for mercy. similar words: compassion, forgiveness, kindness
definition 2:	If someone is suffering and you show mercy to them or treat them with mercy, it means you treat them in a kind way and try to stop their suffering Sometimes showing mercy means to stop treating someone in a cruel way oneself or to make others stop being cruel. The nurses treated the soldiers with great mercy.The bully was about to hit the small boy again, but he decided to show him mercy.
definition 3:	A mercy is something lucky that happened and a thing to be thankful for. It was a mercy that the tornado struck just outside of town and didn't hurt anyone. similar words: gift
related words:	charity, good, goodness

Word History

Mercy comes from a Latin word that means "reward or wages."

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