heriot

noun

her·i·ot ˈher-ē-ət

: a feudal duty or tribute due under English law to a lord on the death of a tenant

Word History

Etymology

Middle English heriet, heriette, heriot, going back to Old English heregeatwe "arms and gear of a soldier, payment due to a lord on the death of a retainer (originally, at least notionally, arms given a retainer by the lord and hence returned to him)," from here "body of armed men" + geatwe "trappings, adornments," probably reduced form of getāwa "apparatus, implements," collective noun derivative of tāwian "to prepare, make" — more at harry, taw entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of heriot was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century