misericord
or mis·er·i·corde
[ miz-er-i-kawrd, mi-zer-i-kawrd ]
/ ˌmɪz ər ɪˈkɔrd, mɪˈzɛr ɪˌkɔrd /
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noun
a room in a monastery set apart for those monks permitted relaxation of the monastic rule.
Also subsellium. 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.
a medieval dagger, used for the mercy stroke to a wounded foe.
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Origin of misericord
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-y3
Words nearby misericord
miserabilism, miserabilist, miserable, misère, Miserere, misericord, miserly, misery, misery index, Misery loves company, misesteem
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for misericord
Such indulgences or allowances of drink were also called misericord.
Nineteen Centuries of Drink in England|Richard Valpy French"It certainly looks like a misericord," remarked Reeves, drawing the rusty steel from its mouldy sheath.
Captured at Tripoli|Percy F. Westerman
British Dictionary definitions for misericord
misericord
misericorde
/ (mɪˈzɛrɪˌkɔːd) /
noun
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
Christianity
- a relaxation of certain monastic rules for infirm or aged monks or nuns
- a monastery where such relaxations can be enjoyed
a small medieval dagger used to give the death stroke to a wounded foe
Word Origin for misericord
C14: from Old French, from Latin misericordia compassion, from miserēre to pity + cor heart
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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