Murdrum

Quick meaning: Murdrum is a noun meaning (UK, historical) A secret killing, distinguished from simple homicide in that the victim and the killer are unknown.

Meaning

(UK, historical) A secret killing, distinguished from simple homicide in that the victim and the killer are unknown.

More Meanings

1. (UK, historical) A fine imposed by the Crown on a manor or district in which such a secret killing had been committed.

Example Sentences

Death by misadventure or starvation might be a 'murdrum' if there was no presentment of Englishry.

By the thirteenth century the collection of murdrum was primarily for the benefit of the Exchequer and significantly added to the burden of the eyre on the localities.

Wherefore, in these days, almost every secret manslaughter is punished as murdrum, except those of whom (as I have said) it is certain that they are of servile condition.

Under the law of William the Conqueror if a Norman was slain and the slayer was not produced, the district (the hundred) had to pay a fine, and the name murdrum was given both to the homicide and to the fine in such a case.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include aberemurder, murdercide, murder hole, multimurder, massacre, blackout.

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