GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English
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Found one definition
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Amerce (ȧmẽrs), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced (ȧmẽrst); p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.] [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of, liable to a punishment. See Mercy.]
1. To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court; as, “the court amerced the criminal in the sum of one hundred dollars”.
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☞ The penalty or fine may be expressed without a preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or of.
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2. To punish, in general; to mulct.
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Millions of spirits for his fault amerced
Of Heaven. Milton.
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Shall by him be amerced with penance due. Spenser.
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