Main Entry: amerce

Pronunciation: \ə-ˈmərs\

Function: transitive verb

Inflected Form(s): amerced; amerc·ing

Etymology: Middle English amercien, from Anglo-French amercier, from Old French a merci at (one's) mercy

Date: 15th century

: to punish by a fine whose amount is fixed by the court; broadly : punish

— amerce·ment \-ˈmər-smənt\ noun

— amer·cia·ble \-ˈmər-sē-ə-bəl, -ˈmər-shə-bəl\ adjective