hidegild

English

Etymology 1

Learned borrowing from Old English hīdġield (“a tax paid on each hide of land”). Compare hide (“measure of land”), geld.

Alternative forms

• hidegeld

Noun

hidegild (uncountable)

1. (Anglo-Saxon, historical, law) A tax paid on each hide of land; hidage.

Etymology 2

Learned borrowing from Old English hȳdġyld, hȳdġield (“a fine to buy one out of receiving a flogging”, literally “a payment to save one's skin”). Compare hide (“skin”), geld.

Alternative forms

• hydegild

Noun

hidegild (uncountable)

1. (Anglo-Saxon, historical, law) A fine paid in lien of a flogging.