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 court amerced the criminal in the sum of one hundred dollars.

To punish, in general; to mulct.

To levy a money penalty for an offence, at a manorial court. The culprit being said to be “in mercy”. The penalty itself was said to be an amercement the amount being left to the “mercy” of the inflictor.

Deut.22: 19] To punish by pecuniary penalty, the amount of which is not fixed by law, but left to the discretion of the court.

punish with an arbitrary penalty

punish by a fine imposed arbitrarily by the discretion of the court