heriot

American  

[her-ee-uht] / ˈhɛr i ət /

noun

English Law.

1. a feudal service or tribute, originally of borrowed military equipment and later of a chattel, due to the lord on the death of a tenant.

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heriot British  

/ ˈhɛrɪət /

noun

1. (in medieval England) a death duty paid by villeins and free tenants to their lord, often consisting of the dead man's best beast or chattel

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Etymology

Origin of heriot

before 900; Middle English heriot, heriet, Old English heregeate, heregeatu, heregeatwa war gear, equivalent to here army + geate, etc., equipment; cognate with Old Norse gǫtvar (plural)

Example Sentences

Born in Edinburgh, Young grew up in the village of Heriot in Midlothian and began his career at Aberdeen in 1970.

From BBC

Following a spell in Surrey, he returned to Heriot Watt in 1977, going on to become Scotland's first black professor in 1989 before eventually retiring in 2005.

From BBC

One memorable scene in Edinburgh was filmed in The Vennel, an historic staircase that runs from The Grassmarket along the boundary of George Heriot's School.

From BBC

Initially the Loughbrough Lightning lock - who still faces further surgery to completely remove the tumour - thought she was simply feeling under the weather when her neck became sore at the end of a training camp at Heriot Watt University.

From BBC

At George Heriot’s School – which was founded in the 17th century to provide for some of Edinburgh’s poorest children – Mrs Gibson claimed a “pain point where people will not be able to afford to go beyond” will arrive with the fee increase.

From BBC