misericord
/mɪˈzɛrɪkɔrd/
noun
- A small wooden shelf on the underside of a folding seat in a church, designed to give some support to a person standing during long services.
- The medieval misericords in the choir stalls are carved with scenes from daily life.
- He leaned against the misericord to rest during the long prayer.
- The church guide pointed out the intricate carvings on each misericord.
- A thin, narrow dagger used in the Middle Ages to deliver a mercy stroke to a wounded knight.
- The knight drew his misericord to end his opponent's suffering.
- The museum displayed a 14th-century misericord with a bone handle.
- Misericords were often carried as a last resort in battle.