Definition of Miserire

Miserere, a carved bracket on the under side of the stall seats in mediæval churches, which, when the seat was turned up during the standing portion of the service, afforded support to the older clergy. Miserere, the Catholic name for the 51st Psalm.

||Mis`e*re"re (?), n. [L., have mercy, fr. misereri to have mercy, fr. miser. See Miser.]

1. (R. C. Ch.) The psalm usually appointed for penitential acts, being the 50th psalm in the Latin version. It commences with the word miserere.

2. A musical composition adapted to the 50th psalm.

Where only the wind signs miserere.

Lowell.

3. (Arch.) A small projecting boss or bracket, on the under side of the hinged seat of a church stall (see Stall). It was intended, the seat being turned up, to give some support to a worshiper when standing. Called also misericordia.

4. (Med.) Same as Ileus.

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