English
amercement
Amercement comes from Old French à merci.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400à merci
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400amercier
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500amercement
- Englishearliest quotation 1832same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400à merci
- Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400amercier
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500amercement
- Englishearliest quotation 1832same form
Earliest quotation: 1832, Burgh Records of the City of Glasgow: “29 March. The quhilk daye Thomas Garnes is fund…”
The story
Also from Medieval Latin amerciamentum, from amerciari + -amentum, learned Latinization of Anglo-Norman amerciament, amercement, amerciment.
Every English word from Old French à merci
Today it means
noun A non-statutory monetary penalty or forfeiture, usually applied at the discretion of a court.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French à merci / amercement