Amerce
[Verb transitive]
Webster's Dictionary 1828
1. amers'. [A verb formed from a for on or at, from Latin merces, reward.]
2. To
inflict a penalty at mercy; to
punish by a
pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the
discretion or mercy of the court; as, the court
amerced the criminal in the sum of one hundred dollars.
Amerce
[Verb transitive]
Webster's Dictionary 1913
1. To
punish by a
pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the
discretion of the court; as, the
amerced the criminal in the sum on the hundred dollars.
1. amers'
ment. A
pecuniary penalty inflicted on an
offender at the
discretion of the court. It differs from a fine, in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statute for an
offense; but an amercement is arbitrary. Hence the practice of affeering. [ See
Affeer .] But in America, the word fine is now used for a
pecuniary penalty which is uncertain; and it is common in statutes, to
enact that an
offender shall be fined, at the
discretion of the court. In England also, fines are now usually
discretionary. Thus the word fine has, in a measure, superseded the use of amercement This word, in old books, is written
amerciament.
2. AMERCEMENT royal is a penalty imposed on an officer for a
misdemeanor in his office.
The
infliction of a penalty at the
discretion of the court; also, a
mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a fine,in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statue for an
offense; but an amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of affeering. [See
Affeer.]
