misericord

noun

mi·​ser·​i·​cord mə-ˈzer-ə-ˌkȯrd 

-ˈser-

variants or less commonly misericorde

: a small projection on the bottom of a hinged church seat that gives support to a standing worshipper when the seat is turned up

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin misericordia seat in church, from Latin, mercy, from misericord-, misericors merciful, from misereri + cord-, cor heart — more at heart

First Known Use

circa 1515, in the meaning defined above