misericord

or mis·er·i·corde

[ miz-er-i-kawrd, mi-zer-i-kawrd ]

noun

1. a room in a monastery set apart for those monks permitted relaxation of the monastic rule.
2. Also a small projection on the underside of a hinged seat of a church stall, which, when the seat is lifted, gives support to a person standing in the stall.
3. a medieval dagger, used for the mercy stroke to a wounded foe.

misericord

/ mɪˈzɛrɪˌkɔːd /

noun

1. a ledge projecting from the underside of the hinged seat of a choir stall in a church, on which the occupant can support himself while standing
2. Christianity
   1. a relaxation of certain monastic rules for infirm or aged monks or nuns
   2. a monastery where such relaxations can be enjoyed
3. a small medieval dagger used to give the death stroke to a wounded foe

Word History and Origins

Origin of misericord¹

1200–50; Middle English misericorde literally, pity, mercy, an act of clemency < Middle French < Latin misericordia pity, equivalent to misericord- (stem of misericors ) compassionate ( miseri-, stem of miserēre to pity + cord- stem of cor heart) + -ia -y ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of misericord¹

C14: from Old French, from Latin misericordia compassion, from miserēre to pity + cor heart

Example Sentences

Such indulgences or allowances of drink were also called misericord.

From Project Gutenberg

"It certainly looks like a misericord," remarked Reeves, drawing the rusty steel from its mouldy sheath.

From Project Gutenberg