World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesMercy
/ˈmɜːrsi/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Compassion or forgiveness shown toward someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm.
"The defeated army begged for mercy from the victorious general." - 2
A fortunate circumstance; something to be grateful for.
"It is a mercy that nobody was injured in the terrible accident."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from the Old French word 'merci', meaning pity, reward, or thanks, which itself stems from the Latin 'merces', meaning pay, reward, or hire. Over time in medieval Christian contexts, the semantic focus shifted from commercial or judicial compensation to the benevolent withholding of punishment and the manifestation of divine compassion.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Mercy"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Mercy" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
miséricorde
Transliteration: mi-ze-rikɔrd
"Le juge a accordé sa clémence par miséricorde."
Barmherzigkeit
Transliteration: baʁmˌhɛʁt͡sɪçkaɪ̯t
"Sie bat die Richter um Barmherzigkeit."
misericordia
Transliteration: mi.ze.riˈkɔr.dja
"Chiese misericordia per i suoi errori."
misericordia
Transliteration: mi.se.ɾiˈkoɾ.ðja
"El rey mostró misericordia con los prisioneros."
misericórdia
Transliteration: mi.ze.ɾiˈkoɾ.di.ɐ
"Ele implorou misericórdia ao juiz."
दया
Transliteration: dayā
"अपराधी ने जज से दया की भीख मांगी।"
仁慈
Transliteration: rén cí
"法官对被告表现出了仁慈。"
자비
Transliteration: ja-bi
"그는 죄수들에게 자비를 베풀었다."
慈悲
Transliteration: jihi
"裁判官は被告人に慈悲を与えた。"
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