magbote

English

Alternative forms

• maegbot, maegbote

Etymology

Learned borrowing from Old English mǣġbōt (“compensation paid to the kinsman of a murdered man”), from mǣġ (“kinsman”) +‎ bōt (“remedy; remediation”). Compare manbote.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmeɪɡˌboʊt/, /ˈmeɪˌboʊt/

Noun

magbote (uncountable)

1. (historical) Compensation paid by someone who killed their relative.
   • 1685, William Howell, An Institution of General History, Or The History of the World, page 308:

     As to the Cynegild or Mægbote, it appears also from Tacitus, that the whole Family received satisfaction for a Kinsman slain.

   • 1720, John Johnson, A Collection of All the Ecclesiastical Laws, Canons, Answers, Or Rescripts, page cl:

     If one kill another's Godson or Godfather, let the Magbote [to the Godfather, or Godson] and the Manbote be alike.

   • 1769, John Pettingal, An Enquiry Into the Use and Practice of Juries Among the Greeks and Romans, page 83:

     Now if the King had a Mind to remit his Part of the Fine the Frithbote, he could not give away that of the others, nor prevent the Kindred from receiving their Magbote or Family Compensation.

References

• “magbote”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams

• gamebot, maegbot