gavelkind

American  

[gav-uhl-kahynd] / ˈgæv əlˌkaɪnd /

noun

English Law.

1. (originally) a tenure of land in which the tenant was liable for a rental in money or produce rather than for labor or military service.

2. a customary system of land tenure whose chief feature was equal division of land among the heirs of the holder.

3. the land so held.

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gavelkind British  

/ ˈɡævəlˌkaɪnd /

noun

1. a former system of land tenure peculiar to Kent based on the payment of rent to the lord instead of the performance of services by the tenant

2. the land subject to such tenure

3. English law (formerly) land held under this system

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Etymology

Origin of gavelkind

1175–1225; Middle English gavelkinde, gavlikind, Old English gafel gavel ² + ( ge ) cynd kind ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

gavelkind

Wars and confiscations, but above all the custom of gavelkind, had reduced that body very low.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

Is it primogeniture, or gavelkind, or borough English?

From Miscellaneous Writings and Speeches — Volume 4 by Macaulay, Thomas Babington Macaulay, Baron

Generally, however, Borough English, apart from specialties, may be said to differ from gavelkind in not including collaterals.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Slice 3 "Borgia, Lucrezia" to "Bradford, John" by Various

Borough English and gavelkind, therefore, though not the same, are near akin; and it is an interesting question which of the two was prior to the other.

From The Customs of Old England by Snell, F. J. (Frederick John)

Land tenure, tribal, 6; primogeniture, 11, 12; gavelkind, 11, 12; in the 18th century, 65, 66.

From Is Ulster Right? by Anonymous