amerced

1 definition found

amerced - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Amerce \A*merce"\ ([.a]*m[~e]rs"), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced
     ([.a]*m[~e]rst"); p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.] [OF. amercier,
     fr. a merci at the mercy of, liable to a punishment. See
     Mercy.]
     1. To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is
        not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court;
        as, the court amerced the criminal in the sum of one
        hundred dollars.
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     Note: The penalty or fine may be expressed without a
           preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or
           of.
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     2. To punish, in general; to mulct.
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              Millions of spirits for his fault amerced
              Of Heaven.                            --Milton.
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              Shall by him be amerced with penance due. --Spenser.
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