amerce (redirected from amerces)

a·merce  (-mûrs)

tr.v. a·merced, a·merc·ing, a·merc·es

1. Law To punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily at the discretion of the court.

2. To punish by imposing an arbitrary penalty.

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[Middle English amercen, from Anglo-Norman amercier, from à merci, at the mercy of : à, to (from Latin ad; see ad-) + merci, mercy (from Latin mercs, wages).]

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a·mercea·ble adj.

a·mercement n.

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amerce [əˈmɜːs]

vb (tr) Obsolete

1. (Law) Law to punish by a fine

2. (Historical Terms) to punish with any arbitrary penalty

[from Anglo-French amercier, from Old French à merci at the mercy (because the fine was arbitrarily fixed); see mercy]

amerceable  adj

amercement  n

amercer  n

Thesaurus

Verb	1.	amerce - punish with an arbitrary penalty     amerce - punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily by the discretion of the court penalise, penalize, punish - impose a penalty on; inflict punishment on; "The students were penalized for showing up late for class"; "we had to punish the dog for soiling the floor again"
	2.	amerce - punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily by the discretion of the court fine, ticket - issue a ticket or a fine to as a penalty; "I was fined for parking on the wrong side of the street"; "Move your car or else you will be ticketed!" amerce - punish with an arbitrary penalty