MISERERE

Etymology

Proper noun

Miserere

The 51st Psalm, sometimes set to music.

Etymology

Noun

miserere (plural misereres)

A prayer for mercy.

An expression of lamentation or complaint.

A medieval dagger, used for the mercy stroke to a wounded foe; misericord.

(architecture) A small projecting boss or bracket on the underside of the hinged seat of a church stall, intended to give some support to a standing worshipper when the seat is turned up; a misericord.

Ileus.

Source: Wiktionary


Mis`e*re"re, n. Etym: [L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See Miser.]

1. (R. C. Ch.)

Definition: The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It commences with the word miserere.

2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm. Where only the wind signs miserere. Lowell.

3. (Arch.)

Definition: A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also misericordia.

4. (Med.)

Definition: Same as Ileus.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

17 May 2025

ANTHOZOAN

(noun) sessile marine coelenterates including solitary and colonial polyps; the medusoid phase is entirely suppressed


coffee icon

Coffee Trivia

Coffee dates back to the 9th century. Goat herders in Ethiopia noticed their goats seem to be “dancing” after eating berries from a particular shrub. They reported it to the local monastery, and a monk made a drink out of it. The monk found out he felt energized and kept him awake at night. That’s how the first coffee drink was born.

coffee icon