noun: (historical) A misericord, a thin-bladed dagger, used in the Middle Ages to give the death wound or mercy stroke to a fallen adversary.
noun: An indulgence as to food or dress granted to a member of a religious order.
noun: A charitable institution, established by royal foundation and managed by a religious order for providing care to the poor, the sick, prisoners, orphans, etc.
noun: One or all of the members of the religious order that operates a misericordia.
noun: A song that is sung as part of a service asking for God's mercy.