Dictionary

magbote en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈmeɪˌboʊt/
• /ˈmeɪɡˌboʊt/

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. (historical, uncountable) Compensation paid by someone who killed their relative.
   • If one kill another's Godson or Godfather, let the Magbote [to the Godfather, or Godson] and the Manbote be alike. 1720, John Johnson, A Collection of All the Ecclesiastical Laws, Canons, Answers, Or Rescripts, page cl:
   • 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. 1769, John Pettingal, An Enquiry Into the Use and Practice of Juries Among the Greeks and Romans, page 83:
   • As to the Cynegild or Mægbote, it appears also from Tacitus, that the whole Family received satisfaction for a Kinsman slain. 1685, William Howell, An Institution of General History, Or The History of the World, page 308:

Forms