mercyn.int.
/ˈməːsi/, U.S. /ˈmərsi/ A. n.
I. Senses relating to clemency or compassion.† 6. In plural. Thanks. Cf. sense B. 2. Obsolete. rare.
1. † d. to have mercy: to receive pardon (of an offence). Obsolete.
a. Clemency and compassion shown to a person who is in a position of powerlessness or subjection, or to a person with no right or claim to receive kindness; kind and compassionate treatment in a case where severity is merited or expected, esp. in giving legal judgment or passing sentence.Frequently in phrases, as to have (also take) mercy on (also upon, †of); to show (also †do) mercy (to). †for (also of) mercy: from consideration of mercy (obsolete). in mercy: in the exercise of mercy (sometimes with to).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > [noun] > mercy
milceeOE
mildheartnesseOE
oreOE
mildheartlaikc1175
mercya1225
misericordc1230
pitya1250
gracec1300
mildheadc1300
milcefulnessa1333
pietya1350
tree of mercyc1375
miserationa1382
mildc1390
piteousnessa1393
miltha1400
milthnessa1400
blithec1400
mercifulnessc1429
misericordy1479
mildfulness1489
clemence1490
clemency1553
pardon1555
pitifulness1555
milk of human kindnessa1616
mussy1823
mild-heartedness1849
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity for [verb (transitive)] > have mercy upon
sparec825
milceeOE
arec1000
i-milcec1000
to have (also take) mercy on (also upon, of)a1225
to show (also do) mercy (to)a1225
methec1225
savea1382
miltha1400
tender1442
to take to (also into) mercy1523
mercify1596
bemercy1660
to give (or cut) (a person) some slack1968
the mind > emotion > compassion > expression of pity [phrase] > in the exercise of mercy
in mercy1769
a1225 (?OE) MS Lamb. in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 43 (MED) Lauerd, haue merci of us, forðon þa pinen of helle we ham ne maȝen iðolien.
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) 459 (MED) Milce haue ant merci, wommon, of mi wrecchedom.
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 1338 (MED) Haue merci of him, ich þe bidde & ne let him noȝt aspille.
a1393 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Fairf.) iii. 2218 (MED) Who that lawe hath upon honde, And spareth forto do justice For merci, doth noght his office.
a1470 T. Malory Morte Darthur (Winch. Coll. 13) (1990) II. 463 I pray you of mercy to myssesay me no more.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 227 Thairfoir, of mercye and not of rycht, I ask ȝou, schir,..Sum medecyne gif that ȝe mycht.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) xlix. 165 He wyll slee you without mercy.
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. clxvi. 176 I humbly requyre you..yt ye woll take mercy of these sixe burgesses.
c1540 (?a1400) Gest Historiale Destr. Troy 8498 If ye no mercy haue on me,..Haue pite on youre pure sonnes.
1615 in J. R. N. Macphail Highland Papers (1920) III. 231 Rather to hope for marcie.
1681 J. Dryden Absalom & Achitophel 6 By their Monarch's fatal mercy grown, From Pardon'd Rebels, Kinsmen.
1769 ‘Junius’ Stat Nominis Umbra (1772) I. v. 43 In mercy to him, let us drop the subject.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall III. xxvii. 49 The emperor confessed, that, if the exercise of justice is the most important duty, the indulgence of mercy is the most exquisite pleasure, of a sovereign.
1792 E. Burke Corr. (1844) IV. 17 Their enemies will fall upon them..and show them no mercy.
1814 W. Wordsworth Excursion vi. 267 Let judgment here in mercy be pronounced. View more context for this quotation
1839 E. W. Lane tr. Thousand & One Nights I. ii. 110 Take my body, then, in mercy, to the place where you are laid.
1876 H. James Roderick Hudson xiii. 472 Go, go, go, sir! In mercy, go!
1949 V. S. Reid New Day i. xxxvii. 178 Everybody has heard that five hundred ha' been killed and many are coming into town begging for mercy.
1960 Woman's Illustr. 16 July 42 Disappointment, and the knowledge of Catherine's and Mary's satisfaction, had made Henry strike at both of them without mercy.
1984 B. Breytenbach Mouroir 51 His appeal against the death sentence is rejected. The request for mercy likewise.
b. spec. Forbearance, compassion, or forgiveness shown by God (or a god) to sinful humanity, or to a particular person or soul.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > calmness > patience > [noun] > forbearance or tolerance
mercya1225
tholea1325
patiencyc1350
patiencea1382
abidingc1384
sustentationc1384
tack1412
tolerancya1556
digesture1567
toleration1582
acceptance1586
forbearance1599
brooking1624
digestion1653
tolerance1765
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > activities of God > [noun] > forgiveness
mercya1225
forgiveness1340
a1225 [see sense A. 1a].
c1225 (?c1200) St. Margaret (Bodl.) (1934) 52 (MED) Drihtin, do me merci & milce of þis dede.
c1275 (?c1250) Owl & Nightingale (Calig.) (1935) 1092 (MED) Jesus his soule do merci!
c1380 Sir Ferumbras (1879) 3757 (MED) Þay prayde god, kyng of gras, haue mercy of is saule.
c1400 Comm. on Canticles (Bodl. 288) in T. Arnold Sel. Eng. Wks. J. Wyclif (1871) III. 29 Trustynge to Goddis mersy.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 69 God receyueth alle them that desyre hys mercy.
1549 Bk. Common Prayer (STC 16267) Mattyns f. iiv Lorde, haue mercy vpon vs.
1607 S. Hieron Abridgem. of Gospell in Wks. (1620) I. 121 What can it be but mercie, that we shall bee admitted to an inheritance immortall and vndefiled?
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 1 (1623) iv. iii. 34 Then God take mercy on braue Talbots soule. View more context for this quotation
a1629 W. Hinde Faithfull Remonstr. (1641) xxxiv. 107 Betwixt the Bridge and the Brook, the Knife and the Throat, the mercy of God may appeare.
1667 J. Milton Paradise Lost iii. 401 Father of Mercie and Grace. View more context for this quotation
1719 D. Defoe Life Robinson Crusoe 156 This gave me great hopes that my Repentance was accepted, and that God had yet Mercy in store for me.
1792 M. Wollstonecraft Vindic. Rights Woman v. 242 He..delighteth to diffuse happiness and shew mercy to the weak creatures, who are learning to know him.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities iii. ii. 174 Thank God..that no one near and dear to me is in this dreadful town to-night. May He have mercy on all who are in danger!
1870 E. G. H. White Spirit of Prophecy II. 250 It is the sin of those who see the Son of God and listen to his teachings, yet turn from his salvation, and reject his offered mercy.
1894 ‘M. Twain’ Pudd'nhead Wilson ii. 39 I done it!—have mercy, marster—Lord have mercy on us po' niggers.
1913 M. J. Cawein Dies Illa in Minions of Moon 130 Shall not they, clothed in rich array, Pray God for mercy?
1985 D. Johnson Fiskadoro iv. 106 The mercy of Allah cleans out my brain.
c. [After Anglo-Norman, Old French crier merci (12th cent.).] to cry (a person) mercy: to beg for pardon or forgiveness. Hence (in weakened sense) in phrases expressing polite apology, esp. I cry you mercy (frequently with ellipsis of subject pronoun in direct speech); cf. I beg your pardon at pardon n.1 7a. Now archaic.The personal object is expressed by indirect object or (occasionally) to, on, upon. In Middle English also to ask, bid, beseech, crave, seek mercy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > quality of exciting pity > excite pity [verb (intransitive)] > ask for mercy
to cry (a person) mercyc1225
to cry quarter1720
the mind > emotion > compassion > quality of exciting pity > affect with pity [verb (transitive)] > ask for mercy
to cry (a person) mercyc1225
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > grant forgiveness [verb (intransitive)] > ask forgiveness
to cry (a person) mercyc1225
beg pardon1604
beg excuse1734
c1225 Lofsong Lefdi (Royal) in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 305 Ich..creie lefdi merci [a1250 Nero and creie þe, leafdi, merci].
?c1225 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Cleo. C.vi) (1972) 37 Þencheð hwat ȝe habbeð..iwraððet oure lauerd. & crieð ȝeorne [c1230 Corpus crieð him ȝeorne] merci & for ȝeouenesse.
c1350 (a1333) William of Shoreham Poems (1902) 42 (MED) To oure lorde Mercy he cryþ, and biddeþ hym Mercy and misericorde.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 2789 Ȝerne on þaim he cried merci.
c1400 (?a1387) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Huntington HM 137) (1873) C. xiv. 13 (MED) Þe kynge cride to abraam mercy.
1483 W. Caxton tr. J. de Voragine Golden Legende 81/1 Whan they repente..and crye their god mercy.
c1515 Ld. Berners tr. Bk. Duke Huon of Burdeux (1882–7) lxxxi. 249 Syr, I crye you mercy for goddes sake doo not to me so grete an outrage.
a1530 (c1425) Andrew of Wyntoun Oryg. Cron. Scotl. (Royal) i. 639 To cry mercy is to late The wayne than standand at the yhat.
1578 G. Whetstone Promos & Cassandra: 2nd Pt. iii. ii. I iij b O I ken you nowe syr, chy crie you mercie.
1594 J. Lyly Mother Bombie iv. ii. sig. F4 I crie you mercy I tooke you for a ioynd stoole.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Two Gentlemen of Verona (1623) v. iv. 93 Oh, cry you mercy sir, I haue mistooke.
1672 Duke of Buckingham Rehearsal i. 3 No, cry you mercy: this is my book.
1681 J. Dryden Spanish Fryar iv. i 49 I cry thee mercy with all my heart, for suspecting a Fryar of the least good-nature.
1721 C. Cibber Refusal iv. 56 O! cry you mercy, Sir; you have great reason to defend her, I don't question.
1796 R. Southey Joan of Arc vii. 521 This Alençon..Cried mercy to his conqueror.
1860 M. C. Conkling Amer. Gentleman's Guide Politeness & Fashion 44 ‘Well, ladies,’ said I, ‘I cry you mercy.’
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses ii. xii. [Cyclops] 322 Cry you mercy, gentlemen, he said humbly.
1993 P. Ackroyd House of Dr. Dee (1994) i. 28 Oh you are a Platonist, sir. I cry you mercy. I took you to be a maker of engines.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > duty or obligation > moral or legal constraint > immunity or exemption from liability > forgiveness > grant forgiveness [verb (intransitive)] > be forgiven
to have mercyc1330
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 148 (MED) Þu most don god forþ þerwid If þu wolt haue merci and griþ.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 9594 I sal noght fine merci to cri Betuixand he haue þi merci.
c1440 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Thornton) in G. G. Perry Eng. Prose Treat. (1921) 44 Aske mercy and hafe it.
a1475 (?a1430) J. Lydgate tr. G. Deguileville Pilgrimage Life Man (Vitell.) 4098 But thow graunte, off thy pyte, That I may al outterly Off my Gyltes ha mercy.
a1513 H. Bradshaw Lyfe St. Werburge (1521) i. xxv sig. i.iiiiv Who so wyll haue mercy Must be mercyable... Who is without mercy, of mercy shall mys.
e. Usually in full as work (also †deed, †duty) of mercy. A compassionate or charitable act; spec. each of the seven spiritual and seven corporal works of mercy enumerated in medieval theology. Usually in plural.From the 17th cent. onwards contrasted with works of necessity (see necessity n. 1b). The seven corporal works are taken from Matthew 25:35–37 and Tobit 12:12; occasionally referred to as the six corporal works, with the omission of Tobit.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > [noun] > mercy > having or showing > an act of
work (also deed, duty) of mercy1357
mercya1400
J. Gaytryge Lay Folks' Catech. (York Min.) (1901) 70 Us behoues fulfill..the seuen deds of merci until our euen-cristen... Thise er the seuen bodily deds of merci.
J. Gaytryge Lay Folks' Catech. (York Min.) (1901) 74 Thare er of merci allso seuen gasteli dedis.
c1391 J. Gower Confessio Amantis (Huntington) vii. 3353* (MED) Here goode name may noght deie For Pite, which thei wolde obeie, To do the dedes of mercy.
a1425 (a1400) Prick of Conscience (Galba & Harl.) (1863) 5764 Werkes of mercy and of almus.
a1450 (c1412) T. Hoccleve De Regimine Principum (Harl. 4866) (1897) 919 (MED) God wille þat þe nedy be releeued; It is on of þe werkes of mercy.
?a1450 (?c1400) Lay Folks' Catech. (Lamb.) (1901) 77 As þe sowle is better þan þe body So þese gostly mercyes be better þan þe bodyly mercyes.
?a1475 (a1396) W. Hilton Scale of Perfection (Harl. 6579) i. ii. f. 2v Actif lif lith in loue and charite..and of þe seuene werkes of merci bodili and gostly, to amannes euencristen.
1533 J. Gau tr. C. Pedersen Richt Vay sig. Bvv Thay that dois notht the dedis of marcie to thair nichtburs.
1647 Conf. Faith Assemb. Div. Westm. (1650) xxi. 46 In the duties of necessity, and mercy.
1647 Larger Catechism (1650) 112 Making it our whole delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the publick and private exercises of Gods worship.
1714 N. Rowe Trag. Jane Shore 11 Think not, the good, The gentle Deeds of Mercy thou hast done, Shall dye forgotten all.
1793 H. Boyd Poems 292 May that heaven whom thou aspirst In deeds of mercy and long-suffering love Thus to resemble, be thy great reward.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet II. xii. 290 [Trumbull loq.] A work of necessity and mercy.
1861 E. Wiglesworth (title) The seven spiritual works of mercy, by the author of ‘The daily life of a Christian child’.
1967 J. Macquarrie Dict. Christian Ethics 213/2 Because we are made in his image our strength is most clearly seen in deeds of mercy.
1979 J. Hall Dict. Subjects & Symbols in Art (rev. ed.) 64 In Gothic art is found the figure of a woman performing the six works of mercy (Matt. 25:35–37).
1994 Compass (Toronto) Mar. 44/1 This structure was accompanied by Roman devotionalism and by religious congregations to foster the spiritual and corporal works of mercy.
2.
a. Disposition to forgive or to show compassion (usually as a divine attribute); compassionateness, mercifulness. of (also †for) a person's mercy: proceeding from a person's merciful disposition.
ΚΠ
c1225 (?c1200) St. Juliana (Bodl.) 461 (MED) Merci nan nis wið þe; for þi ne ahest tu nan milce to ifinden.
c1230 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Corpus Cambr.) (1962) 19 Þet godd þurh his mearci hihi ham ut of pine.
c1350 Psalter (BL Add. 17376) in K. D. Bülbring Earliest Compl. Eng. Prose Psalter (1891) l. 1 Ha mercy on me, God, efter þy mychel mercy.
c1400 Bk. to Mother (Bodl.) 99 (MED) His fadir sai him and was meued wiþ merci, and renninge to him, fel on his necke and custe him.
a1513 W. Dunbar Poems (1998) I. 197 The mersy of that sweit meik Rose Suld soft ȝow, Thirsill, I suppois.
1523 Let. in H. Ellis Orig. Lett. Eng. Hist. (1824) 1st Ser. I. 222 God of his mercie sende his grace of suche facion that it maye bee all for the beste.
1531 T. Elyot Bk. named Gouernour ii. vii. sig. Qi In whome mercye lacketh..in hym all other vertues be drowned.
1588 R. Parke tr. J. G. de Mendoza Comm. Notable Thinges in tr. J. G. de Mendoza Hist. Kingdome of China 410 God for his infinite mercy conuert them.
1600 W. Shakespeare Henry V ii. ii. 176 The taste whereof, God in his mercy giue you Patience to endure.
1649 Platform Church Discipline (Cambridge Synod) 3 If the example of such poor outcasts as our selves, might prevaile..it would..prevent (by the mercy of Christ) the perill of the distraction & destruction of all the churches in both kingdoms.
1731 R. Gwinnett & E. Thomas Pylades & Corinna 263 Consider the Goodness, Justice and Mercy of our Almighty Creator.
a1806 S. Horsley Serm. (1816) I. iv. 75 Who is he that shall determine in what proportions the attributes of justice and mercy, forbearance and severity, ought to be mixed up in the character of the Supreme Governor of the universe?
1872 J. Morley Voltaire i. 2 The infinite mercy and loving-kindness of a supreme creator.
1951 J. Agee Morning Watch ii. 36 To just barely manage through God's infinite mercy to escape burning eternally in the everlasting fires of Hell ought to be just about as much as any good Catholic could pray for.
1982 S. K. Penman Sunne in Splendour (1984) i. xxvii. 277 But Ned would leave him his life and then claim credit for his magnanimity, for his mercy.
b. A figure representing mercifulness; pity or compassion personified.
ΚΠ
c1330 (?c1300) Speculum Guy (Auch.) (1898) 560 (MED) Þu þat art so cruwel in þouht And wolt to merci herkne noht.
c1385 G. Chaucer Knight's Tale 3089 For gentil mercy oghte passen right.
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. vi. 123 (MED) Merci is a Mayden þer and haþ miht ouer hem alle.
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 9561 Quen merci sagh him suagat be, Of him sco can haf pite.
?1435 ( J. Lydgate Minor Poems (1934) ii. 640 (MED) A lady, Mercy, satte on his riht syde.
a1500 (?a1450) Gesta Romanorum (Harl. 7333) (1879) 134 (MED) Mercy, hir sistre, myght not opteyne ne prevayle in hir purpose.
?1534 Remors of Conscyence (de Worde) (new ed.) sig. B.iij Mercy was thyn aduocat chefe.
1621 G. Hakewill King David's Vow 28 These bee..the severall notes..of Mercie's Song.
1747 W. Collins Odes (title) Ode to Mercy.
1789 W. Blake Divine Image in Songs of Innocence To Mercy Pity Peace and Love, All pray in their distress..For Mercy has a human heart Pity, a human face..Where Mercy Love & Pity dwell, There God is dwelling too.
1814 Ld. Byron Lara ii. x. 917 None sued, for Mercy knew her cry was vain.
1866 H. Bushnell Vicarious Sacrifice iii. iii. 285 Mercy comes out also..to go with us, in like faithful company. She looks upon the dread machine..dewing it thus with her tender mitigations.
1889 E. Arnold In my Lady's Praise 104 And..the Raja's hurts Were healed; and all the hearts of people burned With worship! So had Mercy her deserts.
3. † b. for mercy! Obsolete. rare.† d. mercy guard (also have, save) me (also us, etc.)! Obsolete.
a. In various exclamatory phrases (see also God-a-mercy int., Lord-a-mercy at lord n. and int. Phrases 2b(a)(ii), and massy n.); mercy me!: expressing surprise, fear, etc.
ΚΠ
a1250 Lofsong Louerde in R. Morris Old Eng. Homilies (1868) 1st Ser. 211 Louerd, þi merci.
1671 J. Milton Samson Agonistes 1509 Mercy of Heav'n what hideous noise was that! View more context for this quotation
1814 F. Burney Wanderer II. 159 Mercy me, why, where were my eyes?
1917 E. Wharton Summer xv. 225 Mercy me! The next time you'll know better'n to fret like this.
1993 J. Meades Pompey (1994) 42 Chimneysweeps' trade disease is cancer of the scrotum, totem poles are tall and redwoods are taller, oh mercy me, oh you greedy gobbler.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > expression of fear [interjection]
avoyc1300
mercyc1330
for mercy!a1616
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
(for) mercy's sake!1707
yow1901
yipes1955
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection]
whatOE
well, wellOE
avoyc1300
ouc1300
ay1340
lorda1393
ahaa1400
hillaa1400
whannowc1450
wow1513
why?1520
heydaya1529
ah1538
ah me!a1547
fore me!a1547
o me!a1547
what the (also a) goodyear1570
precious coals1576
Lord have mercy (on us)1581
good heavens1588
whau1589
coads1590
ay me!1591
my stars!a1593
Gods me1595
law1598
Godso1600
to go out1600
coads-nigs1608
for mercy!a1616
good stars!1615
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
gramercy1617
goodness1623
what next?1662
mon Dieu1665
heugh1668
criminy1681
Lawd1696
the dickens1697
(God, etc.) bless my heart1704
alackaday1705
(for) mercy's sake!1707
my1707
deuce1710
gracious1712
goodly and gracious1713
my word1722
my stars and garters!1758
lawka1774
losha1779
Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784
great guns!1795
mein Gott1795
Dear me!1805
fancy1813
well, I'm sure!1815
massy1817
Dear, dear!1818
to get off1818
laws1824
Mamma mia1824
by crikey1826
wisha1826
alleleu1829
crackey1830
Madonna mia1830
indeed1834
to go on1835
snakes1839
Jerusalem1840
sapristi1840
oh my days1841
tear and ages1841
what (why, etc.) in time?1844
sakes alive!1846
gee willikers1847
to get away1847
well, to be sure!1847
gee1851
Great Scott1852
holy mackerel!1855
doggone1857
lawsy1868
my wig(s)!1871
gee whiz1872
crimes1874
yoicks1881
Christmas1882
hully gee1895
'ullo1895
my hat!1899
good (also great) grief!1900
strike me pink!1902
oo-er1909
what do you know?1909
cripes1910
coo1911
zowiec1913
can you tie that?1918
hot diggety1924
yeow1924
ziggety1924
stone (or stiffen) the crows1930
hullo1931
tiens1932
whammo1932
po po po1936
how about that?1939
hallo1942
brother1945
tie that!1948
surprise1953
wowee1963
yikes1971
never1974
to sod off1976
whee1978
mercy1986
yipes1989
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. ii. 439 Alacke, for mercy . View more context for this quotation
c. mercy on us (also me, etc.)!
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > expression of fear [interjection]
avoyc1300
mercyc1330
for mercy!a1616
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
(for) mercy's sake!1707
yow1901
yipes1955
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection]
whatOE
well, wellOE
avoyc1300
ouc1300
ay1340
lorda1393
ahaa1400
hillaa1400
whannowc1450
wow1513
why?1520
heydaya1529
ah1538
ah me!a1547
fore me!a1547
o me!a1547
what the (also a) goodyear1570
precious coals1576
Lord have mercy (on us)1581
good heavens1588
whau1589
coads1590
ay me!1591
my stars!a1593
Gods me1595
law1598
Godso1600
to go out1600
coads-nigs1608
for mercy!a1616
good stars!1615
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
gramercy1617
goodness1623
what next?1662
mon Dieu1665
heugh1668
criminy1681
Lawd1696
the dickens1697
(God, etc.) bless my heart1704
alackaday1705
(for) mercy's sake!1707
my1707
deuce1710
gracious1712
goodly and gracious1713
my word1722
my stars and garters!1758
lawka1774
losha1779
Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784
great guns!1795
mein Gott1795
Dear me!1805
fancy1813
well, I'm sure!1815
massy1817
Dear, dear!1818
to get off1818
laws1824
Mamma mia1824
by crikey1826
wisha1826
alleleu1829
crackey1830
Madonna mia1830
indeed1834
to go on1835
snakes1839
Jerusalem1840
sapristi1840
oh my days1841
tear and ages1841
what (why, etc.) in time?1844
sakes alive!1846
gee willikers1847
to get away1847
well, to be sure!1847
gee1851
Great Scott1852
holy mackerel!1855
doggone1857
lawsy1868
my wig(s)!1871
gee whiz1872
crimes1874
yoicks1881
Christmas1882
hully gee1895
'ullo1895
my hat!1899
good (also great) grief!1900
strike me pink!1902
oo-er1909
what do you know?1909
cripes1910
coo1911
zowiec1913
can you tie that?1918
hot diggety1924
yeow1924
ziggety1924
stone (or stiffen) the crows1930
hullo1931
tiens1932
whammo1932
po po po1936
how about that?1939
hallo1942
brother1945
tie that!1948
surprise1953
wowee1963
yikes1971
never1974
to sod off1976
whee1978
mercy1986
yipes1989
a1616 W. Shakespeare King John (1623) iv. i. 12 'Mercie on me.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) iii. iii. 68 Mercy on's, a Barne? View more context for this quotation
1695 W. Congreve Love for Love iii. i. 34 Miss, Miss, Miss Prue—Mercy on me, marry and Amen: Why, what's become of the Child?
1734 A. Pope Epist. to Visct. Cobham 12 Mercy on my Soul! Is there no hope?
1799 C. Smith What is She? v. iii. 79 Mercy on us! what has a modest woman to do with attitudes?
1840 F. Marryat Poor Jack xxiii. 161 Mercy on us! what was that?
1875 M. M. Dodge Rhymes & Jingles 52 Why this bustle, Noise and clatter? Mercy on us! Don't you know Little Pipkin's Stubbed his toe!
1911 F. H. Burnett Secret Garden i. 7 Mercy on us, who is she?
ΚΠ
1637 J. Milton Comus 24 Mercie guard me!
1779 R. Jephson Law of Lombardy iv. v. 54 Mercy guard us! This is a piteous sight.
1819 W. Scott Bride of Lammermoor xi, in Tales of my Landlord 3rd Ser. I. 275 Mercy save us, the auld man's ga'en wud wi' the thunner!
1849 G. P. R. James Woodman I. iii. 59 But mercy have us! What is here?
1860 Ld. Lytton Lucile ii. iv. §5. 259 Mercy save us! you don't mean to say...
e. (for) mercy's sake!. Also in variants (chiefly U.S. regional), as mercy sakes, a mercy's name, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > expression of fear [interjection]
avoyc1300
mercyc1330
for mercy!a1616
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
(for) mercy's sake!1707
yow1901
yipes1955
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection]
whatOE
well, wellOE
avoyc1300
ouc1300
ay1340
lorda1393
ahaa1400
hillaa1400
whannowc1450
wow1513
why?1520
heydaya1529
ah1538
ah me!a1547
fore me!a1547
o me!a1547
what the (also a) goodyear1570
precious coals1576
Lord have mercy (on us)1581
good heavens1588
whau1589
coads1590
ay me!1591
my stars!a1593
Gods me1595
law1598
Godso1600
to go out1600
coads-nigs1608
for mercy!a1616
good stars!1615
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
gramercy1617
goodness1623
what next?1662
mon Dieu1665
heugh1668
criminy1681
Lawd1696
the dickens1697
(God, etc.) bless my heart1704
alackaday1705
(for) mercy's sake!1707
my1707
deuce1710
gracious1712
goodly and gracious1713
my word1722
my stars and garters!1758
lawka1774
losha1779
Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784
great guns!1795
mein Gott1795
Dear me!1805
fancy1813
well, I'm sure!1815
massy1817
Dear, dear!1818
to get off1818
laws1824
Mamma mia1824
by crikey1826
wisha1826
alleleu1829
crackey1830
Madonna mia1830
indeed1834
to go on1835
snakes1839
Jerusalem1840
sapristi1840
oh my days1841
tear and ages1841
what (why, etc.) in time?1844
sakes alive!1846
gee willikers1847
to get away1847
well, to be sure!1847
gee1851
Great Scott1852
holy mackerel!1855
doggone1857
lawsy1868
my wig(s)!1871
gee whiz1872
crimes1874
yoicks1881
Christmas1882
hully gee1895
'ullo1895
my hat!1899
good (also great) grief!1900
strike me pink!1902
oo-er1909
what do you know?1909
cripes1910
coo1911
zowiec1913
can you tie that?1918
hot diggety1924
yeow1924
ziggety1924
stone (or stiffen) the crows1930
hullo1931
tiens1932
whammo1932
po po po1936
how about that?1939
hallo1942
brother1945
tie that!1948
surprise1953
wowee1963
yikes1971
never1974
to sod off1976
whee1978
mercy1986
yipes1989
1707 C. Cibber Double Gallant 42 In! in then, for Mercy's sake, quickly, Sir.
1761 L. Sterne Life Tristram Shandy III. xx. 93 For mercy's sake! let us think no more about it.
1858 W. M. Thackeray Virginians I. xxxii. 250 ‘And whom a mercy's name have we here?’ breaks in Mrs. Lambert.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn xlii. 429 ‘We had to..send in spoons and things..in your apron pocket!—’ ‘Mercy sakes!’
1950 J. Cannan Murder Included vi. 123 ‘I've gotta clue.’.. ‘Spit it out, for mercy's sake, boy.’
1976 Time 10 May 78/1 There was no city kitty so, mercysakes, Red hammered off.
4. † c. to take to (also into) mercy: to extend pardon to (a person who yields willingly); to give quarter to, receive the submission of. Obsolete.In early use this referred to the commutation of the death sentence for a fine: cf. sense A. 7.
a. The clemency or forbearance which may be exercised by a conqueror or absolute ruler (or later, in extended use, by God), esp. to a prisoner or defeated enemy.Chiefly in phrases, as †to come to a person's mercy, †to do (also put) oneself in (also to) a person's mercy: to submit to the authority of a conqueror, etc. (obsolete). †to yield (also bow oneself) to (also upon) mercy: to surrender at discretion (obsolete). See also throw v.1 Phrases 1b(a).
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > defeat > be defeated [verb (intransitive)] > surrender
to cry (or say) creanta1250
to yield oneself creanta1250
to do (also put) oneself in (also to) a person's mercya1325
yieldc1330
recray1340
summisec1450
render1523
amain1540
surrender1560
to throw down one's arms (also weapons, etc.)1593
articulate1595
to yield (also bow oneself) to (also upon) mercy1595
to give grass1597
capitulate1601
to cry cravena1634
to lower or strike one's flag1644
bail1840
hands-up1879
kamerad1914
the mind > emotion > compassion > [noun] > mercy > mercy of conqueror or absolute lord
mercya1325
society > authority > subjection > obedience > submissiveness > submission > submit [verb (intransitive)]
onboweOE
bowa1000
abeyc1300
yielda1330
loutc1330
couchc1386
to come to a person's mercy?a1400
to do (also put) oneself in (also to) a person's mercya1400
hielda1400
underlouta1400
foldc1400
to come (also to put oneself) in a person's willc1405
subjectc1475
defer1479
avale1484
to come in1485
submita1525
submita1525
stoop1530
subscribe1556
compromit1590
warpa1592
to yield (also bow oneself) to (also upon) mercy1595
to come in will to a person1596
lead1607
knuckle1735
snool1786
a1325 Statutes of Realm (2011) v. 14 Ant he þat his þarof ateint, sal ȝelde to þe plaintif his damage double, and sal ben grefliche in þe kinges mercy.
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 4411 (MED) To þis bestes mercy, i bowe me at alle.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 11788 (MED) Þe prestes mercy, þou do þe ynne; Þe prest ys crystys vycarye; Do þe alle yn hys mercy.
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 168 Þe mene folk..Com to his mercy, doand him seruise.
1420 in F. J. Furnivall Fifty Earliest Eng. Wills (1882) 47 I bequethe my soule into the mercy off mythfull Ihesu.
c1450 (?a1400) Wars Alexander (Ashm.) 816 (MED) And all at left was..o lyfe..Come to þat conquerour & on knese fallis, And in [v.r. on] his mercy & meth mekely þaim put.
1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. lxiv Otta a lytel while ageynst hym stode but afterward he put hym to his mercy.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 69 Thaugh one falle ofte, and at laste aryseth vp and cometh to mercy, he is not therof dampned.
1595 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 3 i. iv. 31 Yeeld to our mercies proud Plantagenet.
1617 F. Moryson Itinerary i. 269 The Pyrates..did cast into the Sea many Marriners yeelding to mercy.
a1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 122 Which [surrender] after 4 months close siege they were compelled to, and that upon mercy;..delivering upon mercy, is to be understood that some are to suffer, the rest to go free.
1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xxvi. 619 Observe with how much indifference Cæsar relates..that he put to death the whole senate of the Veneti, who had yielded to his mercy.
1849 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. I. v. 643 Mercy was offered to some prisoners on condition that they would bear evidence against Prideaux.
1898 Argosy Aug. 173 The Almighty in His mercy grievously afflicted me early in life, yet he chastened me only the more to visit me with His tender kindness.
1993 T. Parker (title) May the Lord in His mercy be kind to Belfast.
b. at (also †in) the mercy of: wholly in the power of, at the discretion or disposal of; liable to danger or harm from; exposed to the consequences of.In quot. 1819 the has apparently been omitted for metrical reasons.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > in or into subjection [phrase] > in or to a person's power
under (also beneath) the foot (or feet) ofeOE
at (also in) the mercy ofa1375
in (also at) (a person's) reverence1596
in a person's lurch1607
at (also occasionally in) mercya1616
a1375 (c1350) William of Palerne (1867) 665 (MED) I am Meliors, neiȝh marred, man for þi sake; I meke me in þi merci, for þow me miȝt saue.
1481 W. Caxton tr. Hist. Reynard Fox (1970) 99 Thy lyf is now in my mercy.
c1485 ( G. Hay Bk. Law of Armys (2005) 149 Sen he has him jn keping, and at his mercj.
1594 W. Shakespeare Lucrece sig. D1v Shee..Lies at the mercie of his mortall sting. View more context for this quotation
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 832 Floutes: Which you on all estetes will execute, That lie within the mercie of your wit. View more context for this quotation
1665 R. Boyle Occas. Refl. ii. xiii. sig. Q5v The Syrians..found themselves at the mercy of their Enemies.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 10 We lay wholly at the mercy of the two unruly Elements, Fire and Water.
1715 D. Defoe Family Instructor I. i. iv. 99 Your Character is at every Body's Mercy.
1785 W. Paley Princ. Moral & Polit. Philos. iii. i. xxiii. 188 The not making a will, is a very culpable omission..where it leaves daughters, or younger children, at the mercy of the oldest son.
1819 Ld. Byron Don Juan: Canto II xlii. 140 A wreck complete she roll'd, At mercy of the waves, whose mercies are Like human beings during civil war.
1888 J. Bryce Amer. Commonw. II. li. 292 Leaving the civil servant at the mercy of a partisan chief.
1922 J. Joyce Ulysses iii. xvi. [Eumaeus] 571 To say nothing of your being at the tender mercy of others pratically.
1938 R. K. Narayan Dark Room v. 66 All the interviewers had been at his mercy.
1987 Christian Aid News 7 Jan. 2/3 Bagh Nanak Chand is a shoemaker at the mercy of a prosperous merchant.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > feel pity for [verb (transitive)] > have mercy upon
sparec825
milceeOE
arec1000
i-milcec1000
to have (also take) mercy on (also upon, of)a1225
to show (also do) mercy (to)a1225
methec1225
savea1382
miltha1400
tender1442
to take to (also into) mercy1523
mercify1596
bemercy1660
to give (or cut) (a person) some slack1968
1523 Ld. Berners tr. J. Froissart Cronycles I. ccccxvii. 730 The kynge was counsayled to take them to mercy, so that..they shulde gyue to the kyng lx. thousande frankes.
1550 J. Coke Deb. Heraldes Eng. & Fraunce sig. Dvijv Kyng Edwarde ye .iij.&..his sone prynce Edwarde..favoryng the nacion of Brytayne..toke hym to theyr mercy.
1577 R. Holinshed Chron. II. 774 Vpon theyr submission, the King tooke them to mercie, vpon theyr yine, whych was seased at twentie thousand markes.
1585 T. Washington tr. N. de Nicolay Nauigations Turkie iv. xv. 130 [Pompey] hauing..taken them [sc. the pirates] into mercie, sent them into certaine townes..farre from the Sea.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. ix. xxiv. 331 Those they tooke to mercie upon their submission.
1656 S. Holland Don Zara iii. iv. 175 Nor did the fury of the Fight take any to mercy, save Duke-la-Fool himself, and 6 more.
1770 H. Brooke Fool of Quality V. 174 Since it is so,..I think I must take you to mercy.
1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe III. iv. 100 I was his prisoner, and he took me to mercy.
1851 Southern Literary Messenger 17 198 Ev'n while my pity Was taking thee to mercy, thou wast planning New evil to my fortunes!
d. Law in later use. at (also occasionally †in) mercy: that is absolutely in the power of, or at the disposal of, a victor or superior; liable to punishment or hurt at the hands of another; on sufferance, liable to interference. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > subjection > in or into subjection [phrase] > in or to a person's power
under (also beneath) the foot (or feet) ofeOE
at (also in) the mercy ofa1375
in (also at) (a person's) reverence1596
in a person's lurch1607
at (also occasionally in) mercya1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare King Lear (1623) i. iv. 306 That..He may..hold our liues in mercy.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) i. xi. 7 What good Condition can a Treatie finde I'th'part that is at mercy ? View more context for this quotation
a1671 T. Fairfax Short Mem. (1699) 121 Lord Capel, Sir George Lucas, and Sir George Lisle, who were prisoners at mercy upon the rendring of Colchester.
1690 J. Locke Two Treat. Govt. ii. xvi. §183 My Life, 'tis true, as forfeit, is at Mercy, but not my Wife's and Children's.
a1715 Bp. G. Burnet Hist. Own Time (1724) I. 347 A connivance, such as that the Jews lived under, by which they were still at mercy.
1728 J. Swift Short View State Ireland 11 The Linnen of the North a Trade casual corrupted and at Mercy.
1768 A. Tucker Light of Nature Pursued I. ii. xxxv. 357 The inhabitants of a town exert all their efforts in defending the remparts,..because when those are taken the town lies at mercy.
1839 E. A. Poe William Wilson in Gift 1840 (Philadelphia) 253 In a few seconds I forced him..against the wainscoting, and thus, getting him at mercy, plunged my sword..repeatedly through and through his bosom.
1996 Times 18 Jan. 36/6 The plaintiff, or his advisers, had failed to comply with the date prescribed by the rules and was therefore at mercy.
e. to leave (also trust, etc.) to the mercy (also mercies) of: to put in the power or at the discretion or disposal of; to put in danger of harm from. See also tender mercies at tender adj. 8a.
ΚΠ
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry VI, Pt. 2 (1623) i. iii. 137 Thy Crueltie..hath exceeded Law, And left thee to the mercy of the Law. View more context for this quotation
1661 E. Hickeringill Jamaica 78 Leaving them to the Mercy of their Opponents Court-Marshalls, who presently doom'd them to be shot to death.
1704 J. Swift Tale of Tub vi. 133 Like a discovered Shoplifter, left to the Mercy of Exchange-Women.
1788 A. Hamilton in Federalist Papers lxxiii The one ought not be left to the mercy of the other.
1825 C. Lamb Ass in Wks. (1903) I. 304 With just such a convenient spot laid bare to the tender mercies of the whipster.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities ii. xxiv. 161 You'll never find a fellow like this fellow, trusting himself to the mercies of such precious protégés.
1893 Earl of Dunmore Pamirs II. 50 Too precious to trust to the tender mercies of a baggage pony.
1958 R. K. Narayan Guide v. 69 Surely you aren't going to leave me to the mercy of prowling beasts?
1982 ‘E. Peters’ Virgin in Ice ix. 118 Yves was left to the mercies of the underlings.
5. An act of (esp. divine) mercy; an event or circumstance calling for special thankfulness. Now also in weakened sense: a blessing, a relief; a positive aspect to a generally bad situation (frequently in small mercies). one's mercies n. good things received from God.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > prosperity > [noun] > prospering influence
blessingc825
mercya1400
sunshine1577
the mind > emotion > compassion > [noun] > mercy > having or showing > an act of
work (also deed, duty) of mercy1357
mercya1400
a1400 Psalter (Egerton) lxxxviii. 1 in C. Horstmann Yorkshire Writers (1896) II. 221 (MED) Mercis of lauerd ouer al, In euer-mare singe I sal.
a1500 (c1340) R. Rolle Psalter (Univ. Oxf. 64) (1884) lxxxviii. 1 The mercys of our lord, that is, the thyngis that god mercifully has done til mannys kynde.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Psalms xxiv. 6 Call to remembraunce, O Lorde, thy tender mercyes & thy louinge kyndnesses.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) v. i. 483 Thou'rt condemn'd, But for those earthly faults, I quit them all, And pray thee take this mercie to prouide For better times to come. View more context for this quotation
1651 O. Cromwell Let. 4 Sept. (1845) The dimensions of this mercy are above my thought. It is for aught I know a crowning mercy.
1662 W. Gurnall Christian in Armour: 3rd Pt. 518 Thou must not onely praise God for some extraordinary mercy, which once in a year betides thee,..but also for ordinary, every-day mercies.
a1716 R. South 12 Serm. (1717) VI. 261 Deliverance out of Temptation is undoubtedly one of the greatest Mercies, that God vouchsafes his People.
1765 J. Brown Christian Jrnl. 280 What a mercy for weak and halt me, that the way is here pathed.
1824 W. Scott Redgauntlet I. i. 12 I know your good father would term this Sinning my mercies.
1847 C. Brontë Jane Eyre II. v. 126 What a mercy you are shod with velvet, Jane!—a clod-hopping messenger would never do.
1852 H. B. Stowe Uncle Tom's Cabin I. xii. 172 There was even room to doubt whether Tom appreciated his mercies.
1880 Jrnl. Statist. Soc. 43 104 It is small changes in production and consumption, which produce all these effects; people are thankful for small mercies.
1900 J. Conrad Lord Jim xxxvi. 367 The old chap goes on equably trusting Providence and the established order of the universe, but alive to its small dangers and its small mercies.
1925 V. Woolf Mrs. Dalloway 236 He was a man. But not the sort of man one had to respect—which was a mercy.
1932 J. Masefield Coll. Poems 211 There was one mercy: that it ended quick.
1976 R. Bulter Shaela 33 A'm aye towt hit a mercy at aa dir peerie tings Grew up to be dat helty.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > [noun] > thanks
thankc888
thank1340
gracesc1350
regratiatory1443
gratesc1485
merciesc1500
remercy1542
regratulation1579
regracesc1613
thankfulness1647
remerciments1654
c1500 Melusine (1895) 129 Right grete thankes & thousand mercys to the damoyselle tha so moche honour sheweth to me.
II. Senses relating to amercement n.
7. The state of being liable to a fine or amercement; an amercement, a fine. Now historical. to do (also put in) the mercy: to amerce. to be in mercy [after Anglo-Norman estre en (la) merci to incur an amercement (14th cent.); compare post-classical Latin esse in misericordia (from 12th cent. in British and continental sources)] : to be liable to a fine. See also to take to (also into) mercy at sense A. 4c.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [noun] > arbitrary fine or amercement
foot-geld1227
amercementa1325
mercyc1325
mercementa1387
amerciament1388
merciamentc1455
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (intransitive)] > incur a fine
to be in mercyc1325
finec1325
to lose (= incur) a fine1498
forfeit1727
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)] > by arbitrary fine
to do (also put in) the mercyc1325
amerce1389
mercy?a1400
amerciate1460
merce1530
c1290 Britton (1865) I. i. v. §9. 31 [Soint] trestouz les autres en la merci pur la fole suffraunce.]
c1325 (c1300) Chron. Robert of Gloucester (Calig.) 11155 (MED) Hii clupede sir Ion giffard..To come oþer he ssolde in þe merci be ido.
a1400 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Harl.) 5492 Ȝyf þou haue be so coueytous To mercs [v.r. mercye] men ouer outraious, And pore men specyaly, Þat ferde þe wers for þat mercy..Þy mercyment shal be ful hard.
a1400 in K. W. Engeroff Untersuchung ‘Usages of Winchester’ (1914) 48 Ȝif hij be þennes byþowte ryȝtful enchesoun, euerych by hymselue be in mercy of one besaunt.
a1400 in K. W. Engeroff Untersuchung ‘Usages of Winchester’ (1914) 70 (MED) He is in þe kynges mercy vp-on þe quantite of þat mysdede.
c1436 Domesday Ipswich (BL Add. 25011) in T. Twiss Black Bk. Admiralty (1873) II. 31 (MED) And ȝif [printed zif] the tenaunt do his lawe in the maner afore seyd, thanne taketh the pleyntyff no thyng be his writt but dwelleth in the mercye [Fr. en la merci].
c1460 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Oseney Abbey (1907) 23 (MED) And if þey..be amercid agaynst me..for oony cause, trespas, or forfete, all mercys and mercymentes and all fynes and all profytes and all outegoynges of pleys..shall be of þe chanons selfe.
c1503 tr. Magna Carta in R. Arnold Chron. f. lxxxijv/1 Non of ye forsaid mercyes shalbe put but be othe of sad and honest men.
1656 in J. A. Clyde Hope's Major Practicks (1938) II. 292 If the partie accused..come in the king's will and mercie, he shall [etc.].
1768 W. Blackstone Comm. Laws Eng. III. App. i. 5 That the same William and his pledges of prosecuting, to wit, John Doe and Richard Roe, be in mercy for his false complaint.
1890 W. P. Baildon Sel. Civil Pleas I. 44 Let them have their seisin thereof, and James is in mercy for the unjust detention.
1895 F. Pollock & F. W. Maitland Hist. Eng. Law II. ii. iv. 512 At first the declaration that a man is in the king's or the lord's mercy implies that the king or lord may, if he pleases, take all his goods.
1914 G. F. Deiser Year Bks. of Richard II: 12 Richard II 161 The judgment was that the plaintiffs take nothing by their writ, but be in the mercy for their false plaint.
B. int.† 2. Expressing gratitude: ‘thank you’. Cf. gramercy int. Obsolete.
1. ‘Have mercy!’, ‘May God have mercy!’ (sometimes with qualification, as God's mercy!, etc., and in weakened use expressing surprise, fear, etc.).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > expression of fear [interjection]
avoyc1300
mercyc1330
for mercy!a1616
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
(for) mercy's sake!1707
yow1901
yipes1955
the mind > mental capacity > expectation > surprise, unexpectedness > exclamation of surprise [interjection]
whatOE
well, wellOE
avoyc1300
ouc1300
ay1340
lorda1393
ahaa1400
hillaa1400
whannowc1450
wow1513
why?1520
heydaya1529
ah1538
ah me!a1547
fore me!a1547
o me!a1547
what the (also a) goodyear1570
precious coals1576
Lord have mercy (on us)1581
good heavens1588
whau1589
coads1590
ay me!1591
my stars!a1593
Gods me1595
law1598
Godso1600
to go out1600
coads-nigs1608
for mercy!a1616
good stars!1615
mercy on us (also me, etc.)!a1616
gramercy1617
goodness1623
what next?1662
mon Dieu1665
heugh1668
criminy1681
Lawd1696
the dickens1697
(God, etc.) bless my heart1704
alackaday1705
(for) mercy's sake!1707
my1707
deuce1710
gracious1712
goodly and gracious1713
my word1722
my stars and garters!1758
lawka1774
losha1779
Lord bless me (also you, us, etc.)1784
great guns!1795
mein Gott1795
Dear me!1805
fancy1813
well, I'm sure!1815
massy1817
Dear, dear!1818
to get off1818
laws1824
Mamma mia1824
by crikey1826
wisha1826
alleleu1829
crackey1830
Madonna mia1830
indeed1834
to go on1835
snakes1839
Jerusalem1840
sapristi1840
oh my days1841
tear and ages1841
what (why, etc.) in time?1844
sakes alive!1846
gee willikers1847
to get away1847
well, to be sure!1847
gee1851
Great Scott1852
holy mackerel!1855
doggone1857
lawsy1868
my wig(s)!1871
gee whiz1872
crimes1874
yoicks1881
Christmas1882
hully gee1895
'ullo1895
my hat!1899
good (also great) grief!1900
strike me pink!1902
oo-er1909
what do you know?1909
cripes1910
coo1911
zowiec1913
can you tie that?1918
hot diggety1924
yeow1924
ziggety1924
stone (or stiffen) the crows1930
hullo1931
tiens1932
whammo1932
po po po1936
how about that?1939
hallo1942
brother1945
tie that!1948
surprise1953
wowee1963
yikes1971
never1974
to sod off1976
whee1978
mercy1986
yipes1989
c1330 Sir Orfeo (Auch.) (1966) 43 ‘Sir steward,’ he seyd, ‘Merci!.. Help me now in þis destresse.’
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. ii. 2 Yit kneled I on my knees..And seide, ‘Merci, Madame, for Maries loue of heuene.’
a1400 (a1325) Cursor Mundi (Vesp.) 841 Merci, lauerd! strang wickedhed Broght adam to suilk a ded.
c1405 (c1395) G. Chaucer Merchant/Franklin Link (Hengwrt) (2003) l. 1 Ey goddes mercy seyde oure hoost tho.
a1500 St. Brendan's Confession (Lamb.) 350 in Geibun-Kenkyu (1968) 25 19 (MED) God and Maker of mankynde, mercy, mercy!
a1616 W. Shakespeare All's Well that ends Well (1623) i. iii. 145 Gods mercie maiden. View more context for this quotation
1760 J. Hanway Eight Lett. Vails-giving iv. 29 Mercy, gracious Heaven! are not these very Excuses the strongest reasons for the abolition of this slavish Custom?
1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Family I. 90 A black seal! oh, mercy! it certainly is some bad news about Henry.
1866 Catholic World Feb. 680 The chimney forests, blacken'd and high—Oh, mercy! not in a town to die!
1934 A. Christie Murder on Orient Express ii. iv. 96 ‘Mercy,’ I said briefly to myself, ‘maybe they've murdered every single soul on the train.’
1986 B. Gilroy Frangipani House xxii. 108 ‘Mercy!’ she gushed. ‘It's two of them... No wonder she was that size.’
1987 J. Lindsey Hearts Aflame 301 ‘God's mercy, wench!’ Eda exclaimed... ‘What ails you to be so clumsy today?’
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > thanks [interjection]
gramercyc1330
mercyc1390
thanks1598
kew1939
cheers1976
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. i. 41 ‘A Madame, Merci,’ quaþ I; ‘me likeþ wel þi wordes’.
a1450 York Plays (1885) 368 O! Jesu so jentile and jente, Þat sodenly has lente me my sight..A! mercy, my socoure, Mercy, my treasoure, Mercy my sauioure.
Compounds
C1.
a.
(a) † mercy-angel n. Obsolete† mercy doing n. Obsolete† mercy shower n. Obsolete rare
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1849 D. Rock Church our Fathers II. 468 To watch, as it were by the grave, and like a mercy-angel, cry aloud on all Christians.
1864 Ladies' Repository May 305 O, haste thou mercy-angel, bring An olive-bough from Paradise.
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a1382 Bible (Wycliffite, E.V.) (Douce 369(1)) (1850) Psalms l. 3 After the multitude of thi grete mercy doingus [L. miserationum].
c1400 J. Wyclif Sel. Eng. Wks. (1871) III. 479 For þis mercy doynge schall come to ȝow propperte..and pes and riches.
mercy gate n.
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1562 J. Marckant Lament. Sinner 4, in T. Sternhold et al. tr. Whole Bk. Psalmes O Lord turn not away thy face, fro him that lieth prostrate: Lamenting sore his sinfull lyfe, before thy mercy gate.
1896 E. H. Hickey Poems 40 We wait, Kneeling before the mercy gate.
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a1565 R. Turnar in J. Marbeck Bk. of Notes (1581) 332 In the power of God & mercie shewer.
(b) Chiefly poetic.† mercy-greatening adj. Obsolete† mercy-lacking adj. Obsolete† mercy-wanting adj. Obsolete
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1675 T. Brooks Word in Season 160 in Paradice Opened It is a mercy greatning mercy.
mercy-guided adj.
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1833 D. Rock Hierurgia I. ii. v. 344 That God..whose sway Is mercy-guided.
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1725 Shakespeare's King John iv. i. 20 in A. Pope Wks. Shakespear III. 169 Only You do lack That mercy which fierce fire and iron extend, Creatures of note for mercy-lacking [1623 mercy, lacking] uses.
mercy-tempered adj.
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1822 W. Wordsworth Eccl. Sonnets i. xxvi With mercy-tempered frown.
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1581 T. Nuce tr. Octavia (new ed.) ii. ii, in T. Newton et al. tr. Seneca 10 Trag. f. 177 Swift winged loue, mens fancy fond, in vayne A mercy wanting God to bee, doth fayne.
1596 R. Linche Dom Diego in Diella sig. F8v Forced by thee (thou mercy-wanting mayd).
1632 W. Lithgow Totall Disc. Trav. iii. 111 Transported here and there, Led with the mercy-wanting winds.
mercy-winged adj.
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1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci iii. ii. 51 If so the shaft Of mercy-winged lightning would not fall On stones and trees.
b. † mercy stock n. Obsolete = Mercy seat n. 2.† mercy stool n. Obsolete = Mercy seat n. 2.† mercy table n. Obsolete = Mercy seat n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [noun] > as propitiator or appeaser
propitiation?a1450
mercy stoola1536
propitiator1536
propitiatory?1545
mercy table1549
mercy stock1550
Mercy seat1555
1550 T. Becon Govern. Virtue in Wks. (1564) I. 244 And he is a mercy stocke for our sinnes [1 John 2:2].
1550 R. Hutchinson Image of God Ep. Ded. Our sauiour & mercie stock saieth yt this knowledge is eternal lyfe.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [noun] > as propitiator or appeaser
propitiation?a1450
mercy stoola1536
propitiator1536
propitiatory?1545
mercy table1549
mercy stock1550
Mercy seat1555
a1536 W. Tyndale Pathway Holy Script. in Wks. (1573) I. 379 Christ..is called in Scripture Gods mercy stole.
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Rev. xii. f. xvii The euerlasting word of God, which is and euer hath bene ye Mercye stoole of all the worlde.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > Christian God > the Trinity > the Son or Christ > [noun] > as propitiator or appeaser
propitiation?a1450
mercy stoola1536
propitiator1536
propitiatory?1545
mercy table1549
mercy stock1550
Mercy seat1555
1549 M. Coverdale et al. tr. Erasmus Paraphr. Newe Test. II. Rom. iii. f. viiv Nowe hath God declared Christ to be vnto all people the very propiciatory, mercie table, and sacrifice.
C2. attributive (originally U.S.).
a.
(a) Designating an action motivated by compassion, pity, or a desire to relieve suffering.
mercy dash n.
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1979 N. Wallington Fireman! iv. 55 The two men who had found the children and gone on the unsuccessful mercy dash to hospital had returned.
1995 Daily Record (Glasgow) 9 Jan. 19 (heading) Joe's kidney kick-off; mercy dash from match; Celtic fan Joe Monaghan recovering in hospital after kidney transplant operation.
mercy flight n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > air or space travel > [noun] > a flight through air or space > other types of flight
night flight1830
solo1911
mercy flight1933
cross-country1948
general aviation1952
free flight1954
GA1974
instrument flight1988
1933 Meccano Mag. Mar. 195/2 Never a month passes without a ‘mercy flight’ being carried out.
1973 Guardian 14 Feb. 4/4 Two American prisoners of war freed by the Communists were making mercy flights home tonight to be with their families.
mercy mission n.
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1972 Reader's Digest Mar. 76/1 (heading) Their mercy missions reach new heights of skill and ingenuity.
1974 Times 23 Apr. 4/6 An Army convoy of 20 four-ton lorries left Lyneham..yesterday on the start of a 3,000-mile mercy mission to Niger.
mercy murder n.
ΚΠ
1927 N.Y. Telegram 4 Nov. 6/3 England is enjoying her second ‘mercy murder’ within two weeks. The first case was that of a grief-stricken father, who put his incurable daughter out of her misery [etc.].
1941 Amer. Econ. Rev. 31 499 Wholesale ‘mercy’ murders..of men, women and children incurably and congenitally feeble-minded.
mercy-trip n.
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1944 F. Clune Red Heart 8 On an average, Doctor John Grieve Woods travels over 17,000 miles annually by air on mercy-trips.
(b) (Also) designating a thing used for such an action.
mercy bullet n.
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1927 Daily Express 24 Mar. 3/6 The ‘mercy bullet’..contains a chemical which is released on striking the animal. The fluid in the blood will cause temporary unconsciousness.
mercy corridor n.
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1969 Listener 23 Jan. 111/3 I had representatives in touch with both sides to get the mercy corridor working, to try and get flights in by day as well as by night.
mercy ship n.
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1943 S. M. Emery Commander of Clouds 7 He turned the nose of his own kite toward the mercy ship and thrust on more power.
1996 F. Popcorn & L. Marigold Clicking ii. 320 The ship would drop anchor, and he'd operate on many people who'd never seen a doctor in their lives. What happened to that floating mercy ship—an insurance liability casualty?
b. † mercy-stroke n. Obsolete = coup de grâce n. at coup n.3 5e.
mercy fuck n. coarse slang an act of sexual intercourse offered out of pity or compassion.
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1968 Playboy July 69/1 Mercy fucking..would be reserved for spinsters and librarians.]
1978 T. Alibrandi Killshot (1979) xiv. 174 Consider your work here a mercy fuck.
1993 R. Shell iCED 146 I took Maggie back to my place and gave her a mercy fuck because I felt so bad for her.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > death > killing > killing for specific reason > [noun] > mercy killing
coup de grâce1699
mercy-stroke1702
stroke of grace1837
euthanasia1869
death control1917
mercy killing1925
1702 C. Mather Magnalia Christi vii. App. 70/1 His Hatchet in his Hand, ready to bestow a Mercy-stroak of Death upon her.
1843 R. Browning Blot in 'Scutcheon i. ii, in Bells & Pomegranates No. V 5/2 Come, faith give fraud The mercy-stroke whenever they engage! Down with fraud, up with faith!
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
† mercyv.
Obsolete.
1. transitive. To thank (frequently with of and specification of the thing eliciting thanks). Also: to reward (with something).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > gratitude > thank [verb (transitive)]
thankc1200
grace?c1225
mercyc1390
yieldc1440
remercy1477
regracy1483
gratulatea1592
bethank1593
gratify1601
aggrate1633
to give thanks (thank, to do thank(s)1765
c1390 (a1376) W. Langland Piers Plowman (Vernon) (1867) A. iii. 21 (MED) Mildeliche þenne Meede Merciede hem alle Of heore grete goodnesse.
c1426 J. Audelay Poems (1931) 36 (MED) Þai mercyn hem with mone and med preuely.
1484 W. Caxton tr. G. de la Tour-Landry Bk. Knight of Tower (1971) cxlii. 188 Al the people..thanked & mercyed god..of the delyueraunce of Cathonet.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 90 Raymondin..humbly mercyed the king of his good justice that he had doon to hym.
c1500 Melusine (1895) 71 Therof I mercy & thanke you.
2. transitive. To amerce; to fine.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > fine > [verb (transitive)] > by arbitrary fine
to do (also put in) the mercyc1325
amerce1389
mercy?a1400
amerciate1460
merce1530
?a1400 (a1338) R. Mannyng Chron. (Petyt) ii. 112 (MED) Who þat was gilty..Mercied was fulle hi.
a1425 (c1303) R. Mannyng Handlyng Synne (Bodl.) 5490 Ȝyf þou haue be so coueytous To mercye men ouer outraious, And pore men specyaly..Þy mercyment shal be ful hard.
1472 in J. Raine Vol. Eng. Misc. N. Counties Eng. (1890) 26 (MED) Item, we say yt Thomas Smythe maid afray of Cransfeld and drwe blud on hym; we mercy hym vj d.
a1475 in A. Clark Eng. Reg. Godstow Nunnery (1905) i. 237 (MED) Þe foreseyde abbas sholde be I-mercyd for þe false clayme a-geynste þe foreseyd Roger beuchampe.
?c1475 Catholicon Anglicum (BL Add. 15562) f. 79v (MED) To Mercy: Amerciare.
3. transitive. To endow with mercy.
ΚΠ
1645 S. Rutherford Tryal & Triumph of Faith ix. 71 If all that a Saint hath be blessed, and every thing (to speak so) mercied, and christianed,..His inheritance must be blessed.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2001; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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