kinnislaen

Kinnislaen is a term that originated in ancient Gaelic law, specifically in the Brehon law tradition of Scotland and Ireland. It refers to the penalty or compensation that a person must pay as a consequence of injuring someone. In the context of medieval Scottish law, kinnislaen was a sum of money that was owed to an individual who had been wrongfully injured and thus entitled to receive compensation.

The concept of kinnislaen was closely tied to the idea of "brehonred" or personal honor in Gaelic culture. An injury to one's person or property was seen as a personal affront to the individual's dignity, and it was therefore incumbent upon the wrongdoer to make amends through the payment of a fine.

In modern times, the term kinnislaen has largely been superseded by other legal terms and concepts in Scotland and Ireland. However, it remains an important part of the historical and cultural heritage of the Gaelic-speaking peoples of the British Isles.

Etymologically, the term kinnislaen is thought to be derived from the Gaelic words "kinnie" meaning "killing" and "las" meaning "salary" or "reward". This etymology suggests that the concept of kinnislaen is closely tied to the idea of compensation for injury.