Misericordia
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Definitions
- 1 An amercement. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"It is likely there was some Difference between a Misericordia and an Amerciament. For Example : It was called an Amercement, after it was reduced to a certain Sum; and a Misericordia both before and afterwards."
- 2 A misericord, a thin-bladed dagger, used in the Middle Ages to give the death wound or mercy stroke to a fallen adversary. countable, historical, uncountable
"Near the armchair stood a table; on the table was a crucifix, near it a pitcher of water and a loaf of black bread; in the latter was thrust a misericordia, or that dreadful knife which knights used to despatch the wounded."
- 3 An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order. countable, uncountable
"He took care, too, that the misericordia, or superior dishes or dinners, should be partaken of by the whole community, and not, as had been customary, serve only to feast a few."
- 4 A charitable institution, established by royal foundation and managed by a religious order for providing care to the poor, the sick, prisoners, orphans, etc. countable, uncountable
"Foundlings are taken charge of and treated as orphans ; there are several funds set apart for their support by express decrees of former sovereigns of Portugal; they are received into the misericordias, and supported by the chamber of municipality."
- 5 One or all of the members of the religious order that operates a misericordia. countable, uncountable
"If a casualty happens, if a man is hurt by any common char if he has a fit, the first of the Misericordia who perceives the accident rings a little bell, and immediately any of the fraternity who may be within hearing flock to the summons,—it is their business to lend the sufferer al the aid in their power;"
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- 6 A song that is sung as part of a service asking for God's mercy. countable, uncountable
"The guide assisted the count to mount his mule, singing the while a sort of song which more closely resembled a misericordia than a tarentella ; but the count was too much occupied with the dinner he was to partake of, than to remark that the prelude was anything but mirthful."
- 7 Compassionate mercy. countable, uncountable
"Under these impressions, I am come my Brother, to offer you, what may well be considered, the truest Misericordia; in the consolations of religion to the sorrows of the heart: in comparison of which, the assistance we afford to soften the miseries of the body, become trifling and unimportant."
Example
More examples"It is likely there was some Difference between a Misericordia and an Amerciament. For Example : It was called an Amercement, after it was reduced to a certain Sum; and a Misericordia both before and afterwards."
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin misericordia. Doublet of misericord.
Related phrases
More for "misericordia"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.