Dictionary.com

frankpledge

[ frangk-plej ]
/ ˈfræŋkˌplɛdʒ /

noun Old English Law.

a system of dividing a community into tithings or groups of ten men, each member of which was responsible for the conduct of the other members of his group and for the assurance that a member charged with a breach of the law would be produced at court.
a member of a tithing.
the tithing itself.

QUIZZES

CAN YOU GUESS THESE WORDS FROM AROUND THE US?

American English is not always as it appears to be ... get to know regional words in this quiz!
Question 1 of 10
A bet is synonymous with a wager, but what does it mean in New York?
Often it means something is impossible.
It’s another way to agree with someone.
It serves as an apology.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of frankpledge

1250–1300; Middle English fra(u)nkplegge<Anglo-French frauncplege.See frank1, pledge

Words nearby frankpledge

Franklin, The Autobiography of Benjamin, Franklin tree, frankly, frankness, Franko, frankpledge, Franks Peak, Frank-Starling curve, Franky, Frannie, franseria
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for frankpledge

British Dictionary definitions for frankpledge

frankpledge
/ (ˈfræŋkˌplɛdʒ) /

noun (in medieval England)

the corporate responsibility of members of a tithing for the good behaviour of each other
a member of a tithing
a tithing itself

Word Origin for frankpledge

C15: via Anglo-French from Old French franc free (see frank) + plege pledge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012