Etymologically
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misericors

This is the current revision of this entry, as edited by bogdan on 16 October 2026 at 16:02. This address is a permanent link to this version.
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Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [mɪˈsɛ.rɪ.kɔrs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [miˈs̬ɛː.ri.kors][1]

Forms

misericors (genitive misericordis, comparative misericordior); third-declension one-termination adjective[1]

Etymology

It is from miser “wretched” and cor “heart”.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The OLD's earliest citation is from Plautus, of the tender-hearted.[2] Köbler dates Plautus c. 250–184 BC.[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant tender-hearted, merciful, compassionate, as in Plautus, and of pleas meant to move pity, pitiful.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant merciful, kind, especially of God.[4][5] Gildas wished rather to fall into the hands of the merciful God than of men.[5] It was borrowed into Italian and Spanish misericorde, and Middle High German misencorde was a long knife worn beside the sword.[1][3]

Timeline

  • c. 250–184 BC – Plautus uses it of the merciful.[2][3]

Meanings

Adjective

  1. Merciful, compassionate.[2]
  2. Pitiful.[2]

Word family

  • immisericors
  • misericordia

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ a b Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press