Amercement: meaning, definitions and examples

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amercement

 

[ əˈmɜːrsmənt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal penalty

Amercement refers to a type of punishment or penalty, often imposed by a court for an offense. It typically involves a monetary fine that is set and collected by the court. The amount of the amercement can vary depending on the severity of the offense and the discretion of the judge. This term is historically rooted in legal systems where fines were a common method of enforcement and punishment. Amercements can be distinct from other forms of penalties, as they are often non-criminal and may pertain to civil matters.

Synonyms

fine, forfeiture, penalty, punishment

Examples of usage

  • The court imposed an amercement for the violation of regulations.
  • He faced amercement due to his repeated late submissions.
  • The organization was subjected to amercement for not adhering to safety standards.

Translations

Translations of the word "amercement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 multa

🇮🇳 जुर्माना

🇩🇪 Geldstrafe

🇮🇩 denda

🇺🇦 штраф

🇵🇱 kara finansowa

🇯🇵 罰金

🇫🇷 amende

🇪🇸 multa

🇹🇷 ceza

🇰🇷 벌금

🇸🇦 غرامة

🇨🇿 pokuta

🇸🇰 pokuta

🇨🇳 罚款

🇸🇮 globa

🇮🇸 sekt

🇰🇿 айыппұл

🇬🇪 ჯარიმა

🇦🇿 cərimə

🇲🇽 multa

Word origin

The term 'amercement' has its origins in the Old French word 'amercier', which means 'to impose a fine'. This, in turn, comes from the Latin word 'misericordia', which translates to 'mercy' or 'pity'. The development of the word can be traced back to medieval England when it was commonly used in legal contexts to describe a financial penalty imposed for misconduct or failure to comply with legal requirements. The concept of amercement played a significant role in the feudal system, where lords had the authority to impose fines upon their vassals for various offenses. Over time, the usage of the term evolved to encompass more general legal and civil penalties within the judicial system. While its use has diminished in modern legal language, the historical context of amercement remains significant in understanding the evolution of punitive measures in law.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,474, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.