misericord

A monk kneels in prayer in the misericord of the monastery.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mercy seat or dagger: In historical contexts, "misericord" refers to a small dagger used in medieval times to deliver a death blow (the "mercy stroke") to a seriously wounded enemy, ending their suffering.
   • A shelf on a choir stall: In ecclesiastical architecture, a "misericord" is a small, hinged wooden shelf on the underside of a folding seat in a choir stall. When the seat is folded up, it provides a support for a person standing during long periods of prayer or service, allowing them to lean back slightly.
   • A room in a monastery: In monastic settings, "misericord" denotes a room in a monastery where monks were allowed certain relaxations of the rule, such as eating meat or conversing.

Usage Examples

• As a dagger:

  • The knight drew his misericord to give the dying enemy a swift end. (He used the small dagger to deliver a mercy death blow.)

• As a choir stall shelf:

  • During the long service, the monks rested against the misericord to ease their tired legs. (They used the small shelf on the folded seat for support while standing.)

• As a monastery room:

  • The abbot allowed the elderly monks to eat in the misericord instead of the refectory. (The special room where dietary rules were relaxed.)

Advanced Usage

• "to grant a misericord": to show mercy by ending suffering quickly.

  • The king ordered his executioner to grant the condemned man a misericord. (A quick, merciful death instead of prolonged torture.)

• "the misericord of the choir": a collective term for all the carved shelves in a cathedral or church.

  • The misericords in the cathedral are intricately carved with scenes from daily medieval life. (The shelves under the folding seats are decorated.)

Variants and Related Words

• Misericorde (n): an alternative spelling of "misericord", less common but used in historical texts.

  • The misericorde was a weapon of last resort. (The dagger for mercy killing.)

• Merciful (adj): showing or having mercy; compassionate.

  • The queen’s merciful decision spared the prisoner’s life. (Her action was full of mercy.)

Synonyms

• For the dagger: mercy dagger, coup de grâce blade.
• For the choir shelf: stall shelf, kneeling shelf.
• For the monastery room: indulgence chamber, dispensation room.

Phrasal Verbs

Related Idioms

• "Strike a misericord": to deliver a final, merciful blow (historical idiom).

  • The executioner struck a misericord to end the heretic’s agony. (He gave a quick death stroke.)

• "Lean on the misericord": to rely on a small support or indulgence.

  • During the marathon meeting, he leaned on the misericord of a short break. (He depended on a small allowance or relief.)