How Do You Spell WERGILD?

Pronunciation: [wˈɜːɡɪld] (IPA)

Wergild is a term used in Anglo-Saxon law that refers to the amount of money or compensation paid to the family or kin of a person who has been killed or injured. The spelling of this word is often confusing as it deviates from common English spelling rules. It is pronounced 'wərɡild', with the first syllable sounding like 'wer' and the second syllable sounding like 'gild'. The 'g' is pronounced as a voiced velar fricative sound, similar to the 'g' in 'give'.

WERGILD Meaning and Definition

1. Wergild is a term derived from Old English and Old Norse, which refers to a system of compensation or monetary payment in the context of ancient Germanic cultures. It is a concept that was prevalent during the medieval period, particularly among the Germanic tribes and Anglo-Saxon societies.

   The term itself is composed of two root words: "wer" meaning "man" or "person" and "gild" meaning "payment" or "compensation." In essence, wergild can be understood as a price or value placed on a person's life or wellbeing. It was a means to settle disputes and restore balance in cases where harm or injury had been inflicted on an individual.

   The practice of wergild focused on assigning a specific monetary value to various crimes or offenses, such as murder, assault, or theft. The amount varied depending on the severity of the offense and the social standing of the victim. The payment was typically made by the wrongdoer or their family to the victim or their family as a form of reparation and to prevent feuds or further conflicts.

   Wergild played a crucial role in maintaining social order and resolving conflicts in these early Germanic societies. It provided a legal framework for resolving disputes and ensured that individuals within the community were compensated appropriately for any harm done to them.

   While wergild is an ancient practice, its influence can be seen in the development of modern legal systems with regard to compensatory damages and the notion of monetary restitution for personal injuries or wrongful acts.

Common Misspellings for WERGILD

• wergeld
• weeregild
• wergeild
• weruld
• qergild
• aergild
• sergild
• eergild
• 3ergild
• 2ergild
• wwrgild
• wsrgild
• wdrgild
• wrrgild
• w4rgild
• w3rgild
• wedgild
• wefgild
• wetgild
• we5gild

Etymology of WERGILD

The word "wergild" is derived from the Old English term "wer" meaning "man" and "gild" meaning "payment" or "compensation". In the Germanic legal system, wergild referred to a restitution or compensation paid to the victim or their family as a legal remedy for offenses such as injury or homicide.

Plural form of WERGILD is WERGILDS