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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

virgate

Two peasants on the same virgate are found constantly.

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

We have seen that in Ravenston, Bedfordshire, the villain service is valued at eight shillings per virgate, and that the free assessment amounts only to four shillings.

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

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 Paul Vinogradoff

The fields of the village contain many a nook or odd bit which cannot be squeezed into the virgate arrangement and into the system of work and duties connected with it.

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