Category:Mercy

Mer"cy, n.; pl. Mercies. Etym: [OE. merci, F. merci, L. merces, mercedis, hire, pay, reward, LL., equiv. to misericordia pity, mercy. L. merces is probmerere to deserve, acquire. See Merit, and cf. Amerce.]

1. Forbearance to inflict harm under circumstances of provocation, when one has the power to inflict it; compassionate treatment of an offender or adversary; clemency.

Examples of justice must be made for terror to some; examples of mercy for comfort to others. Bacon.

2. Compassionate treatment of the unfortunate and helpless; sometimes, favor, beneficence. Luke 10:37.

3. Disposition to exercise compassion or favor; pity; compassion; willingness to spare or to help.

In whom mercy lacketh and is not founden. Sir T. Elyot.

4. A blessing regarded as a manifestation of compassion or favor.

The Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 2 Corinthians 1:3. Mercy seat (Bib.), the golden cover or lid of the Ark of the Covenant. See Ark, 2. -- Sisters of Mercy (R. C. Ch.),a religious order founded in Dublin in the year 1827. Communities of the same name have since been established in various American cities. The duties of those belonging to the order are, to attend lying-in hospitals, to superintend the education of girls, and protect decent women out of employment, to visit prisoners and the sick, and to attend persons condemned to death.

-- To be at the mercy of, to be wholly in the power of.

-- The virtue of mercy: Mercy (Mercifulness) is alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed. A disposition to be kind and forgiving, the feeling that motivates compassion. Mercy is blessing others with our compassion and forgiveness. Extending our tenderness beyond what is just or deserved.

Syn. -- See Grace.

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---excerpt from the Illustrated Bible Dictionary

Mercy - Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Genesis 19:19; Exodus 20:6; Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:7; Psalms 85:10; Psalms 86:15, Psalms 86:16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matthew 5:7; Matthew 18:33).