virgate

¹ American  

[vur-git, -geyt] / ˈvɜr gɪt, -geɪt /

adjective

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

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virgate ² American  

[vur-git, -geyt] / 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  

/ -ɡeɪt, ˈvɜːɡɪt /

adjective

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

   virgate stems

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virgate ² British  

/ -ɡeɪt, ˈvɜːɡɪt /

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

Example Sentences

The virgate, it may be noted, consisted of a strip of land in each acre of the hide, and there is undoubtedly a strong case in favour of the equation 1 hide = 4 virgates.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 13, Slice 4 "Hero" to "Hindu Chronology" by Various

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 Vinogradoff, Paul

Et in quolibet hameletto manerii sunt 8 virgate terre.

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

Stem 1–4° high, terminated by a simple virgate or several panicled spikes; leaves thickish; calyx tubular-campanulate, its teeth half the length of the tube; corolla 1´ long.—Wet grounds, from N. Vt. west and southward.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa

This follows from the fact that a certain virgate mentioned in the record is equivalent only to one fourth of the yoke.

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