How Do You Spell WERGELD?

Pronunciation: [wˈɜːɡɛld] (IPA)

"Wergeld" is a word stemming from Old English law, referring to the payment made to compensate for murder or injury. Pronounced /ˈwɛrɡɛld/, the word's spelling is derived from the Old English "wer" meaning "man" and "geld" meaning "payment". The first syllable's "e" sound is similar to the "e" in "red", while the second syllable's "er" sound is pronounced like "air". With changing languages and times, the spelling of "wergeld" has evolved, but it remains a meaningful term used in certain legal contexts.

WERGELD Meaning and Definition

1. Wergeld, also known as weregild, is a term derived from Old English and Old High German words meaning "man price" or "man value." It refers to a concept that existed in various early Germanic societies, particularly during the Middle Ages. Wergeld specifically pertains to the monetary compensation or payment that was demanded or agreed upon as a form of restitution or punishment for harming or killing another person.

   In these societies, personal justice was a central aspect of maintaining social order, and wergeld functioned as a form of legal framework. It aimed to provide a systematic approach to resolving conflicts between individuals or families, preventing blood feuds or violent retaliations. The payment of wergeld was seen as a way to restore balance and maintain peace within the community.

   The amount of wergeld was based on a complex system that took into account the social status of the victim, the severity of the harm inflicted, and various other factors. Price lists, known as "manbooks," were often compiled to establish standard rates for different types of injuries or offenses.

   Wergeld played a crucial role in early Germanic legal systems until they were gradually replaced by more centralized and state-controlled forms of justice. Despite its eventual decline, the concept of wergeld had a lasting impact on legal traditions in many European societies, contributing to the development of modern legal principles such as compensation for damages and human rights.

Common Misspellings for WERGELD

• qergeld
• aergeld
• sergeld
• eergeld
• 3ergeld
• 2ergeld
• wwrgeld
• wsrgeld
• wdrgeld
• wrrgeld
• w4rgeld
• w3rgeld
• weegeld
• wedgeld
• wefgeld
• wetgeld
• we5geld
• we4geld
• werfeld
• werveld

Etymology of WERGELD

The word "wergeld" originated from the Old English term "wergild" or "weregeld". It is derived from the combination of two Old English words: "wer" meaning "man" or "person" and "gild" meaning "payment" or "value". Thus, "wergeld" literally translates to "man-price" or "man-payment". In Anglo-Saxon society, wergeld referred to the monetary compensation or payment to be made as a form of restitution or legal compensation for injuring or killing someone.

Plural form of WERGELD is WERGELDS