verb
- to punish by a fine or penalty, especially at the discretion of a court or authority
Usage: archaic; legal/historical
Examples
- The merchant was amerced for violating the trade regulations.
- Medieval courts could amerce offenders without a fixed penalty schedule.
- The lord amerced the tenant for failing to maintain the property.
- He was amerced a substantial sum for his breach of contract.
- The judge decided to amerce the defendant rather than impose imprisonment.