Misericord, also known as a mercy seat or misericorde, refers to a small projecting shelf or ledge used in medieval churches to provide a resting place for worshippers during long services. The term misericord is derived from the Latin word misericordia, which means mercy. Synonyms for misericord include console, corbel, bracket, or shelf. These terms are often used interchangeably to refer to similar architectural features without any significant distinction between them. Regardless of the name, the design and purpose of misericords remain the same, they act as a comfort to the worshipper during prolonged prayer or religious ceremonies.