Wēre'gild, n.

n. [A-S. wergild, from wer, a man, the estimated value of a man, a fine for slaying a man, and gild, gyld, geld, money, payment of money; O. H. Ger. werigelt, N. H. Ger. wehrgeld. Cf. A-S. léodgeld, a common fine; Icel. manngjöld, a fine for homicide.] (O. Eng. Law.) The price of a man's head; a compensation paid for a man killed, partly to the king for the loss of a subject, partly to the lord of the vassal, and partly to the next of kin. It was paid by the murderer. Blackstone.