virgate

¹

[ vur-git, -geyt ]

adjective

1. shaped like a rod or wand; long, slender, and straight.

virgate

²

[ vur-git, -geyt ]

noun

1. an early English measure of land of varying extent, usually considered equivalent to a quarter of a hide, or about 30 acres (12 hectares).

virgate

¹

/ -ɡeɪt; ˈvɜːɡɪt /

noun

1. an obsolete measure of land area, usually taken as equivalent to 30 acres

virgate

²

/ -ɡeɪt; ˈvɜːɡɪt /

adjective

1. long, straight, and thin; rod-shaped

   virgate stems

Word History and Origins

Origin of virgate¹

1815–25; < Latin virgātus; virga, -ate ¹

Origin of virgate²

1645–55; < Medieval Latin virgāta ( terrae ) measure (of land), feminine of Latin virgātus pertaining to a rod; virgate ¹; translation Old English gierd landes yard-measure of land

Word History and Origins

Origin of virgate¹

C17: from Medieval Latin virgāta ( terrae ) a rod's measurement (of land), from Latin virga rod; the phrase is a translation of Old English gierd landes a yard of land

Origin of virgate²

C19: from Latin virgātus made of twigs, from virga a rod

Example Sentences

In other cases the holding is in the same way described as a 'half-virgate,' without any details being needful as to its contents.

From Project Gutenberg

The virgate and the hide were probably, like the acre, actual holdings before they were adopted as abstract land measures.

From Project Gutenberg

And as four virgates went usually to each hide, so each virgate should contribute 116 of a scutum.

From Project Gutenberg

Further facts relating to the hide and the virgate are elicited by extending the inquiry into the west of England.

From Project Gutenberg

Here then at Boldon were 22 villani, each holding two bovates or 30 acres, equivalent to a virgate or yard-land.

From Project Gutenberg