weregild

English

Wikipedia

Alternative forms

• weregeld
• wergeld
• wergild

Etymology

From Middle English wergeld, from Old English wergeld (“compensation for a man killed”), from Proto-Germanic *werageldaz (“weregild”), equivalent to wer (“man”) +‎ geld (“payment”). Cognate with German Wergeld (“weregild”). More at wer, geld.

Noun

weregild (plural weregilds)

1. (Anglo-Saxon) In Anglo-Saxon and Germanic law, a reparational payment usually demanded of a person guilty of homicide or other wrongful death or other serious crimes.
   • 1977, J.R.R. Tolkien, "Of the Rings of Power", HarperCollins, pages 353-354:

     Isildur would not surrender [The Ruling Ring] to Elrond and Círdan who stood by. [...] 'This I will have as weregild for my father's death, and my brother's. Was it not I that dealt the Enemy his death-blow?'