Question

Use your dictionary to find the language from which the following word traces its earliest origin. mercy

Answer 1

Mercy (with y) is latin and Merci (with i) is from Old French.

Answer 2

Mercy in the English language comes from Old French.  The Old French word 'merci' meant pity.  The word 'merci' comes from the Latin word, "merces" and "mercede".  Those words meant reward, or pity.