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Bloodshed vs Bloodwite - What's the difference?

bloodshed | bloodwite |

As nouns the difference between bloodshed and bloodwite

is that bloodshed is the shedding or spilling of blood while bloodwite is a penalty for committing bloodshed, specifically under Anglo-Saxon law a penalty to be paid to the king or aldorman as distinct from the wergild.

bloodshed

English

Alternative forms

* bloudshed (obsolete)

Noun

(en noun)
  • The shedding or spilling of blood.
  • A slaughter; destruction of life, notably on a large scale.
  • (obsolete) The shedding of one's own blood; specifically, the death of Christ.
  • (obsolete) A bloodshot condition or appearance; an effusion of blood in the eye.

    • Synonyms

    * bloodletting * bloodbath, carnage

    Related terms

    * bloodshedder * bloodshedding

    References

    *

    bloodwite

    English

    Alternative forms

    * bloodwit * blood-wite * blood-wit

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A penalty for committing bloodshed, specifically under Anglo-Saxon law a penalty to be paid to the king or aldorman as distinct from the wergild.