Mercy is kindness or forgiveness shown to someone who could be punished or harmed. It often means choosing compassion instead of strict justice or revenge.
From Old French “merci” meaning 'pity, thanks, reward', from Latin “merces” or “merced-” 'wages, reward'. Over time, the sense shifted from 'reward' to 'kind favor' and 'compassion'. The religious and moral meaning of sparing someone grew especially strong in Christian contexts.
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