gavelkind
Americannoun
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(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.
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a customary system of land tenure whose chief feature was equal division of land among the heirs of the holder.
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the land so held.
noun
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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
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the land subject to such tenure
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English law (formerly) land held under this system
Etymology
Origin of gavelkind
1175–1225; Middle English gavelkinde, gavlikind, Old English gafel gavel 2 + ( ge ) cynd kind 2
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is to this remarkable peculiarity that gavelkind no doubt owes its local popularity.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 5 "Gassendi, Pierre" to "Geocentric" by Various
The gavelkind or tributary tenure there was subjected to equal partition among the heirs.
From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff
For similar reasons he was opposed to entails, and favored the application of the just and equal law of gavelkind to the division of intestate estates.
From Benjamin Franklin; Self-Revealed, Volume II (of 2) A Biographical and Critical Study Based Mainly on his own Writings by Wiliam Cabell Bruce
The Custumal published among the Statutes speaks of the personal freedom of all Kentish-men, although it has to concern itself specially with the gavelkind tenantry.
From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff
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
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