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Amercement - Dictionary Page

Amercement

Part of Speech

Noun

Pronunciation

/əˈmɜːsɪmənt/

Definitions

  1. A fine or penalty imposed for a legal offense or violation.
  2. Historically, a financial penalty levied for an offense, often in the form of a fine by a court or lord.

Usage Examples

  • The judge ordered an amercement for the defendant’s actions.
  • The medieval law included amercement as a form of punishment for various minor offenses.

Etymology

The word "amercement" comes from the Old French "amercier" meaning "to impose a fine." The term "amercier" is derived from "amerciement," which itself comes from the Latin "ad" (to) and "merces" (reward, wages), referring to a fine or financial penalty as a punishment for wrongdoing.

Synonyms

  • Fine
  • Penalty
  • Charge

Antonyms

  • Reward
  • Compensation
  • Payment

Translations

Language Translation Pronunciation
French Amende /a.mɑ̃d/
Spanish Multa /ˈmulta/
German Geldstrafe /ɡɛltˈʃtʁaːfə/
Hindi दंड (Dand) /dʌnd/
Chinese 罚款 (Fákuǎn) /fɑːˈkwɑːn/

Regional Pronunciation Variations

  • American English: /əˈmɜːsɪmənt/
  • British English: /əˈmɜːsɪmənt/

Historical Usage

The term "amercement" was historically used in English law and the feudal system as a punishment for minor offenses. It was commonly imposed by a court or lord as a financial penalty for infractions. Over time, the term has fallen into disuse, but the practice of imposing fines as a penalty remains central in legal systems worldwide.

Cultural Nuances

In historical contexts, amercement was viewed as a lesser penalty compared to more severe punishments like imprisonment. It was often seen as a means to generate revenue for the ruling authority. The cultural and social importance of amercement varied depending on the society and time period, but it generally reflected the role of fines as a tool of social control.

More Information

The concept of amercement was widely used in medieval English law as a form of punishment for offenses that did not warrant imprisonment or corporal punishment. An amercement could be imposed for a range of offenses, from minor infractions to more serious crimes. Unlike fixed fines, an amercement was often based on the offender’s financial means and was subject to the discretion of the ruling authority. The legacy of amercement can still be seen in modern legal systems, where fines are commonly used as a penalty for various offenses.

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