Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A capitationtax; a tax of so much per head.
- noun A reward by the head or number for persons captured in war, especially at sea; also, a reward for the production of the head of an outlaw or enemy.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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It is necessary to remember, when thinking of the barbarisms which war brought in its train, not a hundred years ago, that what Newman calls, very justly, "the atrocious system" of paying our soldiers and sailors _head-money_ for the numbers killed by them, was only done away with about sixty years ago.
Memoir and Letters of Francis W. Newman Giberne Sieveking
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The cut-worm is here correctly defined as the enemy, while the excise claimed by the birds is head-money for his extirpation.
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At the proper time I sent for the black prince _to assist me in shipping the slaves_, and to receive the head-money which was his export duty on my cargo.
Captain Canot or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver Theodore Canot
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You're hiding, and you're wanted, "-- he dropped his voice to a whisper, --" the tongs would pay head-money for you.
The Spinner's Book of Fiction Various
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The "head-money" once paid, no body, -- civil, military, foreign, or Spanish -- dared interfere with them.
Captain Canot or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver Theodore Canot
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Hume and other members, especially as to the "head-money" received.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" Various
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Sir James, however, was soon after deprived of the governorship of Labuan, and the head-money was abolished.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" Various
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"This is the first instance in Roman history of head-money being offered and paid, but it was not the last" (Long).
General History for Colleges and High Schools Philip Van Ness Myers
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So large was the number of natives, pirates and others, slain in these expeditions, that the "head-money" awarded by the British government to those who had taken part in them amounted to no less than
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" Various
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Second mate and boatswain's head-money, at $2 each a head, 873 00
Captain Canot or, Twenty Years of an African Slaver Theodore Canot
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