head-money

head-money

A bounty hunter collects the head-money for the captured outlaw.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A tax or tribute levied per person: "head-money" refers to a tax calculated on the number of individuals in a group, often historically imposed on households or populations.
    • A reward for capturing a person: "head-money" also denotes a bounty or financial reward offered for the capture, killing, or delivery of a specific individual, such as a criminal or political enemy.
Usage Examples

  • Tax sense:

    • The king imposed head-money on every adult in the village. (A per-person tax was collected from each villager.)
    • Head-money was a common form of revenue in medieval Europe. (A tax based on population count.)

  • Bounty sense:

    • The sheriff offered head-money for the outlaw's capture, dead or alive. (A monetary reward for catching the criminal.)
    • Pirates often had head-money placed on them by rival governments. (A bounty for their capture.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to claim head-money": to request or receive the reward for capturing someone.

    • The bounty hunter travelled to the capital to claim head-money for the fugitive. (He sought the financial reward.)

  • "head-money system": a historical practice where taxes or bounties were based on individual counts.

    • The colony's head-money system required each settler to pay a set amount annually. (A per-person taxation method.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Head tax (n): a tax of a fixed amount per person, synonymous with "head-money" in the tax sense.

    • The head tax was abolished after widespread protests. (A per-person tax.)

  • Bounty (n): a reward for the capture of a person or thing.

    • The bounty on the escaped prisoner was substantial. (A monetary reward.)
Synonyms
  • Poll tax: a tax levied on every adult, similar to "head-money" in the tax context.
  • Bounty: a reward for capturing or killing someone.
  • Capitation: a tax or payment of a uniform amount per person.
Phrasal Verbs
Related Idioms
  • "A price on one's head": a reward offered for someone's capture or death.
    • The fugitive had a price on his head, so everyone was looking for him. (Head-money was offered for his capture.)