English

edit

Etymology

edit

Learned borrowing from Old English healsfang (fine prescribed in substitution for capital and other punishments, literally neck-taking", or "taking by the neck), equivalent to halse +‎ fang. Cognate with Icelandic hálsfang (embracing).

Noun

edit

healsfang (plural healsfangs or healsfang)

  1. (historical) In Anglo-Saxon law, a fine or mulct of uncertain character.

Old English

edit

Etymology

edit

From heals (neck) +‎ fang (seizure).

Pronunciation

edit
  • IPA(key): /ˈxæ͜ɑlsˌfɑnɡ/, [ˈhæ͜ɑɫsˌfɑŋɡ]

Noun

edit

healsfang n

  1. a fine prescribed in substitution for capital and other punishments, preferential share of the wergeld

Declension

edit