Amercement

A·merce·ment

Amercement

n.
  1. The infliction of a penalty at the discretion of the court; also, a mulct or penalty thus imposed. It differs from a fine, in that the latter is, or was originally, a fixed and certain sum prescribed by statute for an offense; but an amercement is arbitrary. Hence, the act or practice of affeering. [See Affeer.]

Phrases & Compounds

Amercement royal
a penalty imposed on an officer for a misdemeanor in his office.