To punish someone by imposing a fine or penalty, especially in medieval times; to make someone pay money as punishment.
From Anglo-Norman French 'amercer,' from 'a' (to) + 'mercy' (at the mercy of). Originally meant to place someone at the mercy of a judge for punishment, later specifically meaning to fine them.
Amercement was how medieval courts punished people before prisons existed—if you broke a law, you paid money instead of going to jail. Many modern fines descend directly from this ancient practice.
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