n.
Variant: also mi · ser · i · corde
Pronunciation: m ə - ' zer- ə - ˌ ko ̇ rd, - ' ser-
Function: noun
Etymology: Medieval Latin misericordia seat in church, from Latin, mercy, from misericord-, misericors merciful, from misereri + cord-, cor heart ― more at HEART
Date: circa 1515
: a small projection on the bottom of a hinged church seat that gives support to a standing worshiper when the seat is turned up