definition of
mercy

[1] #1 mercy n. [clemency, mercifulness] leniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice; "he threw himself on the mercy of the court". wn

[2] #2 mercy n. [mercifulness] a disposition to be kind and forgiving; "in those days a wife had to depend on the mercifulness of her husband". wn

[3] #3 mercy n. [mercifulness] the feeling that motivates compassion. wn

[4] #4 mercy n. something for which to be thankful; "it was a mercy we got out alive". wn

[5] #5 mercy n. alleviation of distress; showing great kindness toward the distressed; "distributing food and clothing to the flood victims was an act of mercy". wn