misericordia

noun7

1. •
   Compassionate mercy.

   • Oh misericordia, don't pour the Hock into that thimble: The bigger glass—the green glass—is meant for the Hock! — 1870
2. •
   A charitable institution, established by royal foundation and managed by a religious order for providing care to the poor, the sick, prisoners, orphans, etc.

   • This institution is partly supported by the Government, and partly by voluntary contributions, in the same manner as the misericordias in provincial towns. — 1836
3. •
   One or all of the members of the religious order that operates a misericordia.

   • Others attributed the cessagion of the sickness to the strict system of isolation insisted upon by the Misericordia. — 1898
4. •
   (historical) A misericord, a thin-bladed dagger, used in the Middle Ages to give the death wound or mercy stroke to a fallen adversary.

   • And with that he catched Sir Mordred by the throat and as he catched him thus he drew his misericordia to slay him. — 1913
5. •
   A song that is sung as part of a service asking for God's mercy.

   • The large lump rolling slowly over beside him had the crown of the head shaved, and the mouth and eyes were wide staring open, as if it was chanting forth a misericordia for his own soul. — 1864
6. •
   An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order.

   • He took care, too, that the misericordia, or superior dishes or dinners, should be partaken of by the whole community, and not, as had been customary, serve only to feast a few. — 1818
7. •
   (no longer used) An amercement.

   • In criticizing this Schedule we would first observe how Gervase Paynel of Dudley having compounded for his offences by a Fine of the former year, was not visited by a misericordia of later date. — 1880