The state or condition of being guilty of causing death or bloodshed; the degree to which one bears responsibility for violence.
From 'bloodguilty' + suffix '-ness' (Old English -nes); a formal/archaic term combining the compound noun with the abstract quality suffix.
This word appears frequently in Biblical and Shakespearean texts because it captures something modern language struggles with—the idea that violence creates a spiritual stain on the person who caused it, not just a legal penalty.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.