(definition) by Webster 1913 Wed Dec 22 1999 at 4:23:12

Were"gild` (?), n. [AS. wergild; wer a man, value set on a man's life + gild payment of money; akin to G. wehrgeld. . See Were a man, and Geld, n.] O. Eng.Law

The price of a man's head; a compensation paid of a man killed, partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly to the lord of a vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It was paid by the murderer.

[Written also weregeld, weregelt, etc.]

Blackstone.

 

© Webster 1913.

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