\A*merce"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Amerced}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Amercing}.] [OF. amercier, fr. a merci at the mercy of,
liable to a punishment. See {Mercy}.]
1. To punish by a pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is
   not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court;
   as, the amerced the criminal in the sum on the hundred
   dollars.
Note: The penalty of fine may be expressed without a
      preposition, or it may be introduced by in, with, or
      of.
2. To punish, in general; to mulct.
         Millions of spirits for his fault amerced Of Heaven.
                                               --Milton.
         Shall by him be amerced with penance due. --Spenser.