murdrum

noun

mur·​drum

ˈmərdrəm

plural -s

early English law

1

: murder

especially : a killing in secret

2

: a fine exacted under the Norman kings from the hundred in which a person was slain unless the slayer was produced or proof was given that the slain person was not a Franco-Norman

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, murder, fine for murder, from Old French murdre murder

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