/merr"see/ , n. , pl. mercies for 4, 5.
1. compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner.
2. the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
3. the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, esp. to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty.
4. an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors.
5. something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
6. at the mercy of , entirely in the power of; subject to: They were at the mercy of their captors.
Also, at one's mercy .
[ 1125-75; ME merci mercit merced- (s. of merces ) wages (LL, ML: heavenly reward), deriv. of merx goods ]
Syn. 1. forgiveness, indulgence, clemency, leniency, lenity, tenderness, mildness.
Ant. 1. cruelty.