A*merce"ment (#), n. [OF. amerciment.]
The infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court; also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a fine,in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statue for an offense; but an amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of affeering. [See Affeer.]
Blackstone.
⇒ This word, in old books, is written amerciament.
Amercement royal, a penalty imposed on an officer for a misdemeanor in his office.
Jacobs.
© Webster 1913.