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

John Newman may be said to hold a virgate, to join with his plough-oxen in the tillage of twenty acres, to attend at three boon-days in harvest time, and so forth.

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

According to a very common mode of reckoning, the hide contains four virgates, every virgate two bovates, and every bovate fifteen acres.

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

When he farmed the Domerham manor he left on his own authority the virgate in Stapelham and took169 half a virgate in Domerham, as it was nearer.

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

We find six free tenants with a virgate apiece, one with half a virgate, three with a virgate and a half, and three jointly possessed of two virgates.

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

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