maegbote

noun

maeg·​bote
variants or maegbot or less commonly magbote
ˈmagˌbōt
plural -s
Anglo-Saxon law
: compensation paid to the kinsmen of a man slain

Word History

Etymology

Old English mǣgbōt, from mǣg kinsman, relative + bōt compensation; akin to Old Saxon & Old High German māg kinsman, Old Norse māgr relative by marriage, Gothic megs son-in-law, Greek periēmektein to be unwilling, Lithuanian mėgti to like; basic meaning: friendly

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

  1. Expanded definitions
  2. Detailed etymologies
  3. Advanced search tools
  4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now

Dictionary Entries Near maegbote

Cite this Entry

“Maegbote.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maegbote. Accessed 17 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!