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murdrum

noun mur·drum \ ˈmərdrəm \

Definition of murdrum

plural -s
early English law
1 :murder; especially :a killing in secret
2 :a fine exacted under the Norman kings from the hundred in which a person was slain unless the slayer was produced or proof was given that the slain person was not a Franco-Norman

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Origin and Etymology of murdrum

Medieval Latin, murder, fine for murder, from Old French murdre murder

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