prest money

noun

British Obsolete.

1. a sum of money advanced to men enlisting in the navy or the army, given to bind the bargain and as an inducement.

Word History and Origins

Origin of prest money¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50

Example Sentences

The natural result has been that the thousands who had received 'prest money' were classed as 'pressed' into the service by force.

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To "prest" a man meant to enlist him by means of what was technically known as "prest" money—"prest" being the English equivalent of the obsolete French prest, now prêt, meaning "ready."

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In the recruiter's vocabulary, therefore, "prest" money stood for what is nowadays, in both services, commonly termed the "king's shilling," and the man who, either voluntarily or under duress, accepted or received that shilling at the recruiter's hands, was said to be "prested" or "prest."

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An Admiralty warrant empowered the person to whom it was directed to "impress" as many "seamen" as possibly he could procure, giving to each man so impressed 1s. "for prest money."

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