n. 1 a shelving projection on the under side of a hinged seat in a choir stall serving (when the seat is turned up) to help support a person standing. 2 an apartment in a monastery in which some relaxations of discipline are permitted. 3 a dagger for dealing the death stroke.
[ ME f. OF misericorde f. L misericordia f. misericors compassionate f. stem of misereri pity + cor cordis heart ]