verb
- past tense of amerce; 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 often amerced offenders rather than imposing imprisonment.
- He was amerced a substantial sum for his breach of contract.
- The guild amerced members who failed to maintain quality standards.
- Nobles were sometimes amerced by the king for political offenses.