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

“California has so many real problems—problems that affect people of all races and ethnicities,” says Gail Heriot, a recently retired professor of law at the University of San Diego and a former member of the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a Feb. 14 letter to Monique Limón, the California Senate’s president pro tem, Ms. Heriot argued that while the financial aid packages of two students can look similar, big differences may remain.

From The Wall Street Journal

David Milne:, external Heriot's and Edinburgh District player won one Scotland cap.

From BBC

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