danegeld Definition
- 1a tax levied in medieval England, originally to finance protection against Danish invaders
- 2money paid as tribute or bribe to avoid aggression or enforce peace
Using danegeld: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "danegeld" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The king imposed a danegeld to raise funds for the army.
Example
The company paid a danegeld to avoid a hostile takeover.
Example
The mafia demanded danegeld from the shopkeepers to ensure their safety.
danegeld Synonyms and Antonyms
Phrases with danegeld
Example
The company had to pay danegeld to the union to avoid a strike.
Example
The gangsters collected danegeld from the shopkeepers in the neighborhood.
Example
The government's danegeld mentality only emboldened the terrorists.
Origins of danegeld
from Old English 'Danegeld', meaning 'Danish tax'
Summary: danegeld in Brief
'Danegeld' [deyn-geld] refers to a tax levied in medieval England to finance protection against Danish invaders. It also means money paid as tribute or bribe to avoid aggression or enforce peace. Examples include 'The king imposed a danegeld to raise funds for the army.' and 'The mafia demanded danegeld from the shopkeepers to ensure their safety.' The phrase 'pay danegeld' means to pay someone off to avoid trouble or aggression.
