▪ I. † merce, v. Obs.
Also 6 merse.
Aphetic form of amerce.
| 1483 Plumpton Corr. (Camden) 43 Ye clame suyt, service & feute, of ther maner of Colthorpe, & for the same merce him in your court at Plompton. 1530 Tindale Exod. xxi. 22 Then shall he be mersed, accordynge as the womans husbonde will laye to his charge. 1563–87 Foxe A. & M. (1596) 253/2 Walter treasurer of the kings house, was..merced at an hundred pounds. 1607 G. Wilkins Miseries of Inforst Marr. B 4, Then hath he power To Merce your purse. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Norfolk ii. (1662) 249 Ralph was merced in seven thousand marks, for bribery. |
▪ II. merce
obs. form of mercy.