MISERICORD


Meaning of MISERICORD in English

noun

or mi·ser·i·corde mə̇ˈzerəˌkȯrd, ˈmizər-

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English misericorde, from Middle French, literally, mercy, from Latin misericordia mercy, compassion, from misericord-, misericors merciful, compassionate (from miser + -i- + cord-, cor heart) + -ia -y — more at heart

1. : a thin-bladed medieval dagger used to give the coup de grace

2. : a small projection on the bottom of a hinged church seat that gives support to a standing worshiper when the seat is turned up ; also : the seat itself — called also miserere

3. : a small hall in some medieval monasteries for use as a refectory by monks temporarily dispensed from monastic fast or abstinence

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.