misericord

A misericord (ledge on folding church seat)

Meaning

Relaxation of monastic rules.
The room in a monastery for monks granted such relaxation.
A ledge, sometimes ornately carved, attached to a folding church seat to provide support for a person standing for long periods; a subsellium.
A medieval dagger, used for the mercy stroke to a wounded foe.

From 1200–50, from Middle English misericorde ("an act of clemency") from Old French, from Latin misericordia.

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