GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found one definition

1.       
   Amerce , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced ; p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.] [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of, liable to a punishment. See Mercy.]
   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.
   1913 Webster
   ☞ The penalty or fine may be expressed without a preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or of.
   1913 Webster
   To punish, in general; to mulct.
   1913 Webster
   Millions of spirits for his fault amerced
   Of Heaven.
   Milton.
   
   1913 Webster
   Shall by him be amerced with penance due.
   Spenser.
   
   1913 Webster