Category:Amerce

A*merce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced; p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.] Etym: [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of, liable to a punishment. See Mercy.]

1. To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court; as, the amerced the criminal in the sum on the hundred dollars.

Note: The penalty of fine may be expressed without a preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or of.

2. To punish, in general; to mulct. Millions of spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven. Milton. Shall by him be amerced with penance due. Spenser.