AMEARST
AMERCE
A*merce", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Amerced; p. pr. & vb. n. Amercing.]
Etym: [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 amerced the
criminal in the sum on the hundred dollars.
Note: The penalty of fine may be expressed without a preposition, or
it may be introduced by in, with, or of.
2. To punish, in general; to mulct.
Millions of spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven. Milton.
Shall by him be amerced with penance due. Spenser.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition