unmercyn.
/(ˌ)ʌnˈməːsi/, U.S. /ˌənˈmərsi/ Lack of mercy; the condition of being without mercy; mercilessness. Also: a merciless act.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > compassion > pitilessness > [noun] > mercilessness
unmercyc1425
unmercifulheadc1450
unmercifulness1534
merciless1584
mercilessness1591
inclemency1598
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 41 Our synnes askyng the vnmercy of oure Lordys ire.
?c1430 (c1400) J. Wyclif Eng. Wks. (1880) 72 Wiþ-drawynge goddis word..for ensaumple of pride, coueitise, wraþþe, vnmercy.
c1450 (?c1408) J. Lydgate Reson & Sensuallyte (1901) l. 6651 Daunger sholde exiled be, Vnmercy also.
1842 Musical World 8 Sept. 285/3 Cymro should not accuse us of unmercy, for..we have established mercy as our holiest ambition and attribute.
1907 M. Woodhull Epic of Paradise Lost vii. 176 Shall I lose for ever the love of my wife, or turn the mercy of God into unmercy?
1974 R. Durgnat Jean Renoir xlvi. 269 The Southerner..is helpless not only before the more spectacular unmercies of nature but before quieter evils.
1998 M. Rettenmund Blind Items xxiv. 179 Her eyes were trained on Truitt with unmercy, daring him to defy her.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2014; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.c1425