mercy mercy /ˈmɝːsi/

noun

1. () Leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice  ( clemency , mercifulness , mercy )
   leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
    He threw himself on the mercy of the court
   he threw himself on the mercy of the court
   
2. () A disposition to be kind and forgiving  ( mercifulness , mercy )
   a disposition to be kind and forgiving
    In those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband
   in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband
   
3. () The feeling that motivates compassion  ( mercifulness , mercy )
   the feeling that motivates compassion
   
4. Alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed  ( mercy )
   alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed
    Distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy
   distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy
   
5. Something for which to be thankful  ( mercy )
   something for which to be thankful
    It was a mercy we got out alive
   it was a mercy we got out alive