virgate

¹ American  

[vur-git, -gayt] / ˈvɜr gɪt, -geɪt /

adjective

1. shaped like a rod or wand; long, slender, and straight.

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virgate ² American  

[vur-git, -gayt] / ˈvɜr gɪt, -geɪt /

noun

1. an early English measure of land of varying extent, usually considered equivalent to a quarter of a hide, or about 30 acres (12 hectares).

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virgate ¹ British  

/ ˈvɜːɡɪt, -ɡeɪt /

adjective

1. long, straight, and thin; rod-shaped

   virgate stems

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virgate ² British  

/ ˈvɜːɡɪt, -ɡeɪt /

noun

1. an obsolete measure of land area, usually taken as equivalent to 30 acres

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Etymology

Origin of virgate¹

1815–25; < Latin virgātus; see virga, -ate ¹

Origin of virgate²

1645–55; < Medieval Latin virgāta ( terrae ) measure (of land), feminine of Latin virgātus pertaining to a rod; see virgate ¹; translation Old English gierd landes yard-measure of land

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

virgate

P. soon dry, virgate with darker fibrils, centre squamulosely punctate, flesh reddish; g. rigid, purplish then changing to cinnamon; s. reticulately striate with darker purple-umber fibrils. erubescens, Fr.

From European Fungus Flora: Agaricaceae by George Massee

And a little attention will show us many cases in which337 free tenements are arranged on the virgate system.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff

The duties vary a good deal, and it would be even more difficult to conjecture what the original services may have been than to make out the size of the virgate.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff

Starting from this assumption we shall have to say that the virgate 'de wara' represents a unit of assessment in which twelve really existing acres have been left out of the reckoning.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff

Let us take the following case as an instance: John Clerk had in the time of Bishop Henry one virgate in Domerham and holds it now, and another virgate in Stapelham for ten shillings.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Paul Vinogradoff

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