Etymology Map
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Mercy

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means compassion or forgiveness shown to someone in one's power

Where does the word "mercy" come from? It comes from Latin merces, passing through Old French before entering English (1100s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
merces
Latin · ancient
"wages, reward"
the same root as 'merchant' and 'mercenary'
2
Stage 2 of 3
merci
Old French · medieval
"grace, pity"
Christian writers used it for the heavenly reward for kindness, hence kindness itself; modern French uses it for 'thanks'
3
Stage 3 of 3
mercy
English · 1100s
"compassion shown to someone"
'at the mercy of' dates from the 1300s
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Read the full story

Mercy’s story begins in Latin: merces meant “wages, reward.” The same root as 'merchant' and 'mercenary'. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as merci. Christian writers used it for the heavenly reward for kindness, hence kindness itself; modern French uses it for 'thanks'. It reached English by 1100s as mercy. 'at the mercy of' dates from the 1300s. Today, mercy means compassion or forgiveness shown to someone in one's power.