How Do You Spell WEHRGELD?

Pronunciation: [wˈe͡ɪəɡˌɛld] (IPA)

Wehrgeld is a German legal term that refers to the compensation paid by a culprit to the victim or their family for bodily injury or death. It is spelled as [ˈveːɐ̯ɡɛlt] in IPA phonetic transcription, which can be broken down into four sounds - "v" as in "very", "eː" as in "say", "ɐ̯" as in "bird", and "ɡɛlt" as in "gelt". The unique phonetic structure of this word symbolizes the cultural and historical specificity of the concept it represents.

WEHRGELD Meaning and Definition

1. Wehrgeld is a German term that translates to "blood money" or "man-price" in English. Historically, it referred to a compensation or financial payment made by an offender or their family to the victim or the victim's family to atone for a crime committed.

   In ancient Germanic societies, Wehrgeld was a fundamental part of a legal and social system known as the "wergild system." This system aimed to maintain peace and resolve conflicts through monetary compensation, rather than resorting to violence or warfare. Wehrgeld could be paid in cases of homicide, bodily injury, or other offenses that had harmed an individual or their property.

   The amount of Wehrgeld varied depending on the severity of the crime, and it was typically determined by custom or law. The payment of Wehrgeld served as a form of restitution to the victim or their kin, providing them with a means to seek justice and avoid the escalation of conflicts.

   Over time, as legal systems evolved, Wehrgeld became less prevalent and was eventually replaced by state-sanctioned criminal punishments and civil remedies. However, the concept of Wehrgeld remains significant in legal and historical studies, offering insights into ancient social structures, dispute resolution practices, and the value placed on human life in certain societies.

Common Misspellings for WEHRGELD

• qehrgeld
• aehrgeld
• sehrgeld
• eehrgeld
• 3ehrgeld
• 2ehrgeld
• wwhrgeld
• wshrgeld
• wdhrgeld
• wrhrgeld
• w4hrgeld
• w3hrgeld
• wegrgeld
• webrgeld
• wenrgeld
• wejrgeld
• weurgeld
• weyrgeld
• wehegeld
• wehdgeld

Etymology of WEHRGELD

The word "Wehrgeld" originates from the German language. It is composed of two words: "Wehr" meaning defense or protection, and "Geld" meaning money.

"Wehr" is derived from the Old High German word "wēr" or "wērī" which means protection or defense. It is related to other Germanic words such as Old English "wǣr" and Old Norse "ver", which have similar meanings.

"Geld" comes from the Old High German word "geld" which means payment or tribute. It is also related to the Old English word "gild" and the Old Norse word "gjald", which have similar meanings.

Therefore, "Wehrgeld" can be translated as "defense money" or "protection payment", reflecting a historical practice in which individuals or communities would pay a fee or compensation for protection or defense services.