misericord
noun
mi·ser·i·cord mə-ˈzer-ə-ˌkȯrd 
-ˈser-
variants or less commonly misericorde
: a small projection on the bottom of a hinged church seat that gives support to a standing worshipper when the seat is turned up
Word History
Etymology
Medieval Latin misericordia seat in church, from Latin, mercy, from misericord-, misericors merciful, from misereri + cord-, cor heart — more at heart
First Known Use
circa 1515, in the meaning defined above