gabelle

[ guh-bel ]

noun

1. a tax; excise.
2. French History. a tax on salt, abolished in 1790.

gabelle

/ ɡæˈbɛl /

noun

1. French history a salt tax levied until 1790

Derived Forms

• gaˈbelled, adjective

Other Words From

• ga·belled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabelle¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; Middle English gabul, gabel (probably confused with gavel ² ), from Middle French, from Italian gabella, from Arabic qabālah “tax, receipt”

Word History and Origins

Origin of gabelle¹

C15: from Old Italian gabella , from Arabic qabālah tribute, from qabala he received

Example Sentences

Gabelle, word of German origin (gabe), originally applied to all taxes, came to signify only the tax on salt.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gabelle, which led to several rebellions, was not abolished until the Revolution .

From Project Gutenberg

By means of a draft on the receiver of taxes and the gabelle officer of the town, two hundred golden saluts were paid for it.

From Project Gutenberg

These imposts and that of the gabelle were henceforth permanent.

From Project Gutenberg

Go, you are for the old self-called princes of the peace, together with the wranglers against the Cardinal and the gabelle.

From Project Gutenberg