Compensation paid, according to Old English usage, for injury or wrongdoing; reparation, amends; satisfaction made. (Only in Old English, except…

Feudal Law. A fine payable for the offence of shedding blood; (also) a legal action for this offence; (occasionally) †the offence itself (obsolete)…

= wergild, n.

In ancient Teutonic and Old English law, the price set upon a man according to his rank, paid by way of compensation or fine in cases of homicide…

A wergild or man-boot paid by a homicide to the kin of the person slain. (Not the same as the Old English cynebót or royal compensation.)

A blood-fine (see quots.)

= wergild, n.

a fine paid as whole or part compensation for murder.

Chiefly Anthropology. Money paid in reparation for a killing; esp. compensation paid to the deceased person's next of kin. Cf. wergild, n.