métayer

American  

[met-uh-yay, may-tuh-] / ˌmɛt əˈjeɪ, ˌmeɪ tə- /

noun

1. a person who works the land using tools, seed, etc., furnished by the landlord and who receives a share of the harvest in compensation.

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Etymology

Origin of métayer

1770–80; < French < Medieval Latin medietārius, equivalent to mediet ( ās ) ( see moiety) + -ārius -ary

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

métayer

The system of farming is that of the métayer; and those who bought property when it was cheap, have realised a certain profit, but far less than they expected.

From Journal of a Visit to Constantinople and Some of the Greek Islands in the Spring and Summer of 1833 by John Auldjo

He substituted for a fixed rent a certain proportion of the produce,1035 in fact the métayer system, and employed some of his people to see that the returns were not fraudulently diminished.

From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill

Thanks to the métayer land-tenure, man’s heart, as well as his strength, is given to the ground, with his hope and his honour. 

From The Rhythm of Life by Alice Christiana Thompson Meynell

But the truth is that the métayer was not a free tenant in the sense which we attach to the word.

From Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 2 of 3) Turgot by John Morley

Would he—on the métayer system—consent to give half of his harvest to the landowner?

From The Conquest of Bread by Petr Alekseevich Kropotkin, Prince

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