amerce
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a·merce
(ə-mûrs′)tr.v. a·merced, a·merc·ing, a·merc·es Law
To punish by fine or other penalty.
[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 mercēs, wages).]
a·merce′a·ble adj.
a·merce′ment n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
amerce
(əˈmɜːs)vb (tr)
1. (Law) law to punish by a fine
2. (Historical Terms) to punish with any arbitrary penalty
[C14: from Anglo-French amercier, from Old French à merci at the mercy (because the fine was arbitrarily fixed); see mercy]
aˈmerceable adj
aˈmercement n
aˈmercer n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
a•merce
(əˈmɜrs)v.t. a•merced, a•merc•ing.
1. to punish by imposing a fine not fixed by statute.
2. to punish by inflicting any discretionary or arbitrary penalty.
[1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French amercier to fine, derivative of (estre) a merci (to be) at (someone's) mercy. See a-5, mercy]
a•merce′a•ble, adj.
a•merce′ment, n.
a•merc′er, n.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
amerce
Past participle: amerced
Gerund: amercing
Imperative |
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amerce |
amerce |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
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Verb | 1. | amerce - punish with an arbitrary penalty amerce - punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily by the discretion of the court |
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 |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
amerce
verbThe American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.