maritage

noun

mar·​i·​tage
ˈmarətij
variants or less commonly maritagium
ˌ⸗⸗ˈtājēəm
plural maritages
-jə̇z
also maritagia
-ēə
1
: the property brought to a husband by a wife according to feudal custom upon her marriage
2
a
: the right of a feudal lord to dispose in a marriage of the heiress, minor heir, or widow of a vassal
b(1)
: a payment made by a vassal in return for the lord's waiver of such right
(2)
: a fine imposed on a vassal for his violation of such right

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin maritagium, from Old French mariage, maritage, marriage

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Cite this Entry

“Maritage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maritage. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

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