Vehmic

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Vehmic \Veh"mic\ (v[=e]"m[i^]k or v[=a]"m[i^]k; 277), a. [G.
     vehm, fehm, fehme, a secret tribunal of punishment, MHG.
     veime, veme: cf. F. vehmique.]
     Of, pertaining to, or designating, certain secret tribunals
     which flourished in Germany from the end of the 12th century
     to the middle of the 16th, usurping many of the functions of


     the governments which were too weak to maintain law and
     order, and inspiring dread in all who came within their
     jurisdiction. --Encyc. Brit.
     [1913 Webster]