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