misericordia

Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a, n. Etym: [L., mercy, compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.] 1. (O. Law) Defn: An amercement. Burrill. 2. (Anc. Armor.) Defn: A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or "mercy" stroke to a fallen adversary. 3. (Eccl.) Defn: An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order. Shipley.

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