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danegeld

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Dane⋅geld

[deyn-geld]
–noun
(in medieval England) an additional tax on land believed to have been levied originally as a tribute to the Danish invaders but later continued for other purposes.
Also, danegeld, Dane⋅gelt, dane⋅gelt [deyn-gelt] .


Origin:
bef. 1150; ME denegeld, danegeld, OE (Domesday Book) Danegeld. See Dane, geld 2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Dane·geld   (dān'gěld')   
n.  A tax levied in England from the 10th to the 12th century to finance protection against Danish invasion.

[Middle English : Dane, genitive pl. of Dan, Dane; see Dane + geld, tribute (from Old English geld, gield, payment).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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