English
Etymology
Shortened form of amercy, from Anglo-French amercier, from à + merci (from L. mercedem �remuneration, favour, mercy�).
Pronunciation
IPA|/��m��s/
Verb
en-verb|amerc|es
- transitive To impose a fine on; to fine.
#*But I'll amerce you with so strong a fine, that you shall all repent the loss of mine - Shakespeare, "Romeo and Juliet"
#*1806: The person, in whose house the conventicle met, was amerced a like sum. � Hume, History of England
- transitive To punish, to make an exaction.
#*1667: condemn'd / For ever now to have thir lot in pain, / Millions of Spirits for his fault amerc't / Of Heav'n � John Milton, Paradise Lost, Book 1, ll. 607-10
#* Thou shalt be amerced for sins unknown. - Byron, "Cain"
Derived terms
amercement
te:amerce
vi:amerce
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