quitrent

American  

[kwit-rent] / ˈkwɪtˌrɛnt /

noun

1. rent paid by a freeholder or copyholder in lieu of services that might otherwise have been required.

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quitrent British  

/ ˈkwɪtˌrɛnt /

noun

1. (formerly) a rent payable by a freeholder or copyholder to his lord that released him from liability to perform services

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Etymology

Origin of quitrent

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; quit ¹, rent ¹

Example Sentences

Those who brought in new settlers got headrights of land and could purchase more, but owed an annual quitrent in return.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Well-connected settlers could receive even larger grants, or purchase land for low prices and an annual fee, or quitrent.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

They granted headrights to settlers and sold much larger tracts of land to developers and speculators, subject to an annual quitrent.

From Textbooks • Jan. 18, 2018

Mountgomery, as Margrave, was to render to the Lords of Carolina an annual quitrent and one-fourth part of all gold and silver found in Azilia.

From Pioneers of the Old South: a chronicle of English colonial beginnings by Johnston, Mary

This office will be kept open from the first to the fourteenth of July, ensuing, for the payment of all arrears of quitrent due and payable within this island.

From History of Prince Edward Island by Campbell, Duncan