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| Date: | 1100-1200 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | merci, from Latin merces 'price paid, payment for work', from merx 'things for sale' |
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mer‧cy
1 [uncountable] if someone shows mercy, they choose to forgive or to be kind to someone who they have the power to hurt or punish :
2 unable to do anything to protect yourself from someone or something : 
After the boat's motor failed, they were at the mercy of the weather.She was completely at his mercy.
at the mercy of somebody/something
After the boat's motor failed, they were at the mercy of the weather.She was completely at his mercy.3 a journey taken to bring help to people : a mercy mission to help homeless refugees
mercy flight/mission etc
a mercy mission to help homeless refugees4 to let someone be dealt with by another person, who may treat them very badly or strictly - used humorously
leave somebody to somebody's (tender) mercies
5 to ask someone to help you or forgive you when you are in a very bad situation
throw yourself on somebody's mercy
6 used to say that it is lucky that a worse situation was avoided : It's a mercy the accident happened so near the hospital.
it's a mercy (that)
spokenIt's a mercy the accident happened so near the hospital.