How Do You Spell VEHMGERICHT?

Pronunciation: [vˈe͡ɪmd͡ʒəɹˌɪt͡ʃt] (IPA)

Vehmgericht is a German word that refers to a secret tribunal of medieval times. Its spelling is a bit tricky for non-native speakers, as it includes some challenging combinations of consonants. The first syllable is pronounced "faɪm" (rhymes with "pine"), while the second syllable is pronounced "ɡərɪçt" (rhymes with "strict"). The "h" is silent and the "ei" is pronounced like a long "i" sound. Overall, the IPA phonetic transcription for Vehmgericht is /faɪmɡərɪçt/.

VEHMGERICHT Meaning and Definition

1. Vehmgericht, originally a German noun, refers to a medieval secret tribunal or court system prevalent in Germany from the 12th to the 16th century. The term is derived from the medieval German word "Fehme," which means "secret" or "concealed," and "Gericht," meaning "court" or "justice." Thus, Vehmgericht can be translated as the "secret court" or "judgment of the secret."

   The Vehmgericht operated under a network of secret societies known as the "Holy Vehm," which aimed to enforce public order and administer justice in the absence of proficient state institutions. The members of the Holy Vehm were selected based on their reputation, and they functioned as both judge and jury in cases brought before them.

   The jurisdiction of the Vehmgericht extended to various offenses, including treason, murder, theft, and heresy. Trials were conducted in secret, with defendants often unaware until the judgement was delivered. The court handed out sentences, which could be punishments as severe as death or outlawry, without a formal appellate process. The proceedings were characterized by their efficiency, secrecy, and the swift delivery of justice.

   Over time, the influence and power of the Vehmgericht diminished, partly due to the strengthening of state institutions and legal frameworks. By the 16th century, the secret court system was largely disbanded.

   In contemporary usage, Vehmgericht is sometimes employed metaphorically to describe a secretive and unaccountable exercise of power or justice.

Common Misspellings for VEHMGERICHT

• fehmgericht
• vwhmgericht
• vshmgericht
• vdhmgericht
• vrhmgericht
• v4hmgericht
• v3hmgericht
• vegmgericht
• vebmgericht
• venmgericht
• vejmgericht
• veumgericht
• veymgericht
• vehngericht
• vehkgericht
• vehjgericht
• vehmfericht
• vehmvericht
• vehmbericht
• vehmhericht

Etymology of VEHMGERICHT

The word "Vehmgericht" is derived from Middle High German, a medieval form of the German language.

"Vehm" comes from the Old High German word "febhem" or "femba", which meant "dread" or "awe". In the context of the Vehmgericht, it referred to the sense of fear or intimidation associated with the secret tribunal.

"Gericht" means "court" or "judgment" in German.

Therefore, "Vehmgericht" can be translated as "secret tribunal" or "court of justice". It specifically refers to the medieval secret tribunal known as the "Westfälische Freigrafenamt" or "Feme" in Westphalia, Germany.