ˈdānˌgeld noun
also dane·gelt -lt
( -s )
Usage: often capitalized
Etymology: Middle English Danegeld, from Dane (gen. plural of Danish Dane) + geld tribute, payment, from Old English gield; akin to Old English gieldan to pay, pay for, reward — more at dane , yield
: an annual tax believed to have been imposed originally to buy off the ravages of Danish invaders in England or to maintain forces to oppose them but continued as a land tax usually of two shillings upon each hide of land