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

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

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

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

Reforms were proposed that would enhance the royal revenue by collection of the quitrent and would prevent the accumulation of large estates.

From Mother Earth Land Grants in Virginia 1607-1699 by Robinson, Walter Stitt

In the vicinity of Bogucharovo were large villages belonging to the crown or to owners whose serfs paid quitrent and could work where they pleased.

From War and Peace by Tolstoy, Leo, graf