Miserere
MISERERE (the imperative of Lat. misereri, to have mercy or pity), the name of one of the penitential psalms (/.), from its opening words, Miserere mei, Deus. The word is frequently used in English as equivalent to "Misericord" (Lat. misericordia, pity, compassion) for various forms in which the rules of a monastic order or general discipline of the clergy might be relaxed; thus it is applied to a special chamber in a monastery for those members who were allowed special food, drink, etc., and to a small bracket on the under side of the seat in a sta of a church made to turn up and afford support to a person in a position between sitting and standing. " Misericord ; and " miserere " are also used of a small dagger, the " dagge of mercy," capable of passing between the joints of armour, with which the coup de gretce might be given to a wounded man.
Note - this article incorporates content from Encyclopaedia Britannica, Eleventh Edition, (1910-1911)
