MISERICORDIA

‖Mis′e‐ri‐cor″di‐a (?), n. [[L., mercy, compassion; miser wretched + cor, cordis, heart.]] 1. 1. (O. Law) An amercement. Burrill.
2. 2. (Anc. Armor.) A thin-bladed dagger; so called, in the Middle Ages, because used to give the death wound or “mercy” stroke to a fallen adversary.
3. 3. (Eccl.) An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order. Shipley.