Also see definition of "amerce" in Bible Study Dictionaries
Word Study
amerce
CIDE DICTIONARY
amerce, v. t. [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of, liable to a punishment. See Mercy.].
- 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. [1913 Webster]" The penalty or fine may be expressed without a preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or of." [1913 Webster]
- To punish, in general; to mulct. [1913 Webster]"Millions of spirits for his fault amerced
Of Heaven." [1913 Webster]"Shall by him be amerced with penance due." [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
amerce, v.tr.
1 Law punish by fine.
2 punish arbitrarily.
1 Law punish by fine.
2 punish arbitrarily.
Derivative
amercement n. amerciable adj.
Etymology
ME amercy f. AF amercier f. a at + merci MERCY
ROGET THESAURUS
amerce
Penalty
VB fine, mulct, amerce, sconce, confiscate, sequestrate, sequester, escheat, estreat, forfeit.Also see definition of "amerce" in Bible Study Dictionaries
For further exploring for "amerce" in Webster Dictionary Online