Misericordia
Pronunciation : Mis`e*ri*cor"di*a
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [L., mercy, compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.]
Definition : 1. (O. Law)
Defn: An amercement. Burrill.
2. (Anc. Armor.)
Defn: A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or "mercy" stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. (Eccl.)
Defn: An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order. Shipley.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913