amerciament

3 definitions found

amerciament - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Amerciament \A*mer"cia*ment\, n. [LL. amerciamentum.]
     Same as Amercement. --Mozley & W.
     [1913 Webster]

  Amercement \A*merce"ment\, n. [OF. amerciment.]
     The infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court;
     also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a
     fine, in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and
     certain sum prescribed by statute for an offense; but an
     amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of
     affeering. [See Affeer.] --Blackstone.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: This word, in old books, is written amerciament.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     Amercement royal, a penalty imposed on an officer for a
        misdemeanor in his office. --Jacobs.
        [1913 Webster]

amerciament - Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) :

  AMERCIAMENT, AMERCEMENT, English law. A pecuniary punishment arbitrarily
  imposed by some lord or count, in distinction from a fine which is expressed
  according to the statute. Kitch. 78. Amerciament royal, when the amerciament
  is made by the sheriff, or any other officer of the king. 4 Bl. Com. 372.