/ ˈmɜːsi; NAmE ˈmɜːrsi/ noun ( pl. -ies )
1.
[ U ] a kind or forgiving attitude towards sb that you have the power to harm or right to punish
SYN humanity :
to ask / beg / plead for mercy
They showed no mercy to their hostages.
God have mercy on us.
The troops are on a mercy mission (= a journey to help people) in the war zone.
2.
[ C , usually sing. ] ( informal ) an event or a situation to be grateful for, usually because it stops sth unpleasant :
It's a mercy she wasn't seriously hurt.
—see also merciful , merciless
•
IDIOMS
- at the mercy of sb/sth
- leave sb/sth to the mercy / mercies of sb/sth
- throw yourself on sb's mercy
—more at small adjective
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French merci pity or thanks, from Latin merces , merced- reward, in Christian Latin pity, favour, heavenly reward.