misericordia

Meanings

1. An amercement.
2. A misericord, a thin-bladed dagger, used in the Middle Ages to give the death wound or mercy stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order.
4. A charitable institution, established by royal foundation and managed by a religious order for providing care to the poor, the sick, prisoners, orphans, etc.
5. One or all of the members of the religious order that operates a misericordia.
6. A song that is sung as part of a service asking for God's mercy.
7. Compassionate mercy.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin misericordia. Doublet of misericord.