manbote

noun

man·​bote

variants or less commonly manbot

ˈmanˌbōt

plural -s

: a sum paid under Old English law to a lord as compensation for killing his man

also : similar compensation paid to the relatives of a murdered man

Word History

Etymology

Old English manbōt, from man + -bōt compensation

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