Crossword Dictionary

MERCY

mercy - n 
something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive" 
alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed; "distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy" 

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Synonyms

benevolence, blessing, charity, clemency, forgiveness, generosity, goodwill, grace, leniency, pity, sympathy, tolerance, benignancy, boon, commiseration

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Examples

She hesitated at the head of the stairs, tormented by the knowledge her father was incapable of mercy towards his daughter, let alone a stranger.

Wynn didn't like being out of control, at the mercy of one he couldn't predict or manipulate.

A wise man will not leave the right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority.

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Etymology

late 12c., "God's forgiveness of his creatures' offenses," from Old French mercit, merci (9c.) "reward, gift; kindness, grace, pity," from Latin mercedem (nominative merces) "reward, wages, pay, hire" (in Vulgar Latin "favor, pity;" in Medieval Latin "thanks; grace"), from merx (genitive mercis) "wares, merchandise" (see market (n.)). In Church Latin (6c.) it was given a specific application to the heavenly reward earned by those who show kindness to the helpless and those from whom no requital can be expected.

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