borough-English

[ bur-oh-ing-glishor, often, -lish, buhr- ]

noun

1. (formerly, in some parts of England) a custom by which the youngest son inherited the entire estate upon the death of his father.

borough-English

noun

1. English law (until 1925) a custom in certain English boroughs whereby the youngest son inherited land to the exclusion of his older brothers Compare primogeniture gavelkind

Word History and Origins

Origin of borough-English¹

Middle English word dating back to 1300–50

Word History and Origins

Origin of borough-English¹

C14: from Anglo-French tenure en burgh Engloys tenure in an English borough; so called because the custom was unknown in France

Example Sentences

The original of this claim, as of our tenure of Borough English, is variously delivered.

From Project Gutenberg

Borough English was the native custom which had succeeded in holding its ground against the effects of the Norman Conquest.

From Project Gutenberg

The area over which this Borough English tenure prevails is an exceedingly wide one.

From Project Gutenberg

From this nefarious degradation of woman the custom of Borough-English arose, the youngest son becoming the heir.

From Project Gutenberg

The origin of the custom of Borough English has been much disputed.

From Project Gutenberg