or weregild (ˈwɜːˌɡɪld, ˈwɛə-) or wergeld (ˈwɜːˌɡɛld, ˈwɛə-)
noun
the price set on a man's life in successive Anglo-Saxon and Germanic law codes, to be paid as compensation by his slayer
Word origin
Old English wergeld, from wer man (related to Old Norse ver, Latin vir) + gield tribute (related to Gothic gild, Old High German gelt payment); see yield