A pecuniary penalty, in the nature of a fine, imposed upon a person for some fault or misconduct, he being “in mercy” for hls offense. It was assessed by the peers of the delinquent, or the af-feerors, or imposed arbitrarily at the discretion of the court or the lord. Goodyear v. Sawyer (C. C.) 17 Fed. 9
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
