blood money

English

Noun

blood money (uncountable)

1. (informal) Money that is obtained at the cost of another's life.
   • 1970, “Damned for All Time / Blood Money”, in Tim Rice (lyrics), Andrew Lloyd Webber (music), Jesus Christ Superstar:

     Judas: I don't want your blood money!
     Caiaphas: Oh, that doesn't matter: our expenses are good.
     Judas: I don't need your blood money!
     Annas: But you might as well take it; we think that you should.

2. Money paid (as by a killer or the killer's clan) to the family of a person who has been killed.

   Hyponyms: bloodwite, diyya, wergeld

Translations

money paid to the family of someone killed — see wergeld

See also

• conscience money