Definition of "miserere" [‖Mis•e•re•re]

• The 51st Psalm. (noun)
• A musical setting of this psalm. (noun)
• A prayer for mercy. (noun)
• An expression of lamentation or complaint. (noun)
• See misericord. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "They are called miserere-stalls, and were used by the monks or canons to lean against during the portions of the long mediaeval services, when they were not allowed to be seated."
• "Among the most interesting of these are the "miserere" seats, of which we shall speak at more length."
• "About the same time the custom was introduced of substituting "dona nobis pacem" for the third "miserere nobis"; although by way of exception, the third "miserere" was said on Holy"