† ˈmercement Obs.
Also 4 mersy-, 4–5 merci-, merse-, 4–6 mercy-, 6 marsement.
[Aphetic f. amercement. Cf. merciament.]
1. = amercement. Also, in wider sense, doom, adjudged punishment.
| 1303 R. Brunne Handl. Synne 5496 Þy mercyment shal be þe pyne of helle. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) I. 95 Blodwyte, mersement for schedynge of blood. c 1449 Pecock Repr. iii. xiv. 367 Forfetis, eschetis, and mercimentis, and fynys. c 1557 Abp. Parker Ps. cxxx. 383 Because with God is ruefulnes, He oft redeemth his mercyment. a 1572 Knox Hist. Ref. Wks. (1846) I. 361 Thay..committed the hole to the merciment of fyre. 1598 R. Grenewey Tacitus, Ann. xiii. vi. (1622) 187 That the Quæstors of the treasurie should not enter into record before foure months were past, the mercements adiudged by them. |
2. Sc. to stand to the merciment of: to abide the judgement of.
| 1560 Rolland Crt. Venus Prol. 316, I may weill thole,..That this small Wark stand to the mercyment Of Gentilmen, and byde at thair subiectioun. |