curb vs mercy

curb

noun
  • Something that checks or restrains; a restraint. 

  • A swelling on the back part of the hind leg of a horse, just behind the lowest part of the hock joint, generally causing lameness. 

  • A concrete margin along the edge of a road; a kerb (UK, Australia, New Zealand) 

  • A riding or driving bit for a horse that has rein action which amplifies the pressure in the mouth by leverage advantage placing pressure on the poll via the crown piece of the bridle and chin groove via a curb chain. 

  • A sidewalk, covered or partially enclosed, bordering the airport terminal road system with adjacent paved areas to permit vehicles to off-load or load passengers. 

  • A raised margin along the edge of something, such as a well or the eye of a dome, as a strengthening. 

verb
  • To rein in. 

  • To bend or curve. 

  • To furnish with a curb, as a well; to restrain by a curb, as a bank of earth. 

  • To crouch; to cringe. 

  • To damage vehicle wheels or tires by running into or over a pavement curb. 

  • To check, restrain or control. 

  • To bring to a stop beside a curb. 

mercy

noun
  • Relenting; forbearance to cause or allow harm to another. 

  • Instances of forbearance or forgiveness. 

  • A blessing; something to be thankful for. 

  • Forgiveness or compassion, especially toward those less fortunate. 

  • A tendency toward forgiveness, pity, or compassion. 

  • A children's game in which two players stand opposite with hands grasped and twist each other's arms until one gives in. 

verb
  • To feel mercy 

  • To show mercy; to pardon or treat leniently because of mercy 

intj
  • Expressing surprise or alarm. 

How often have the words curb and mercy occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )