1. a small hinged seat in a church choir stall that can be turned up to provide support while standing
Usage: ecclesiastical
2. a room in a monastery where certain relaxations of monastic rule are permitted
Usage: historical; religious
3. a narrow-bladed dagger used in medieval times to deliver a death blow to a wounded knight
Usage: historical; medieval

Examples

• The carved misericord provided relief during the long church service.
• Medieval choir stalls often featured ornately decorated misericords.
• The monks gathered in the misericord for their evening meal.
• The monastery’s misericord allowed for conversation during meals.
• The knight carried a misericord as a weapon of last resort.
• Historical accounts describe the misericord as a blade of mercy.
• The museum displayed a collection of medieval misericords and other daggers.