What does virgate mean?
The term virgate refers to a unit of land measurement used in medieval England, equivalent to about 1/4 acre or 1/8 hectare. It was a practical way of dividing and assessing land, especially in rural areas. The virgate was also known as a yardland, and it represented the amount of land that could be worked by a family. Understanding the virgate provides insight into the historical context of land ownership and agricultural practices in England. The virgate is still of interest to historians and those studying medieval English society.
nounA unit of land measurement, originally a rod or virgate, equivalent to about 1/4 acre or 1/8 hectare. It was used in medieval England.
- A unit of land measurement.
- A rod or stick, especially one used for measuring land.
"The medieval lord owned a large estate measured in virgates, which were then subdivided among his tenants."
"The surveyor used a virgate to measure the boundaries of the estate."
"The medieval system of measurement relied heavily on the virgate for land division."
The plural form is used when referring to multiple units of land measurement.
"The estate consisted of several virgates of land, each subdivided among tenants."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of virgate
The word virgate originates from the Latin 'virga', meaning rod or stick, which was used as a unit of measurement. The term evolved in medieval England to represent a specific area of land that could be measured by a rod. The virgate was an important part of the English system of land measurement until it was replaced by more modern units.
How virgate is actually used
The term virgate is mostly of historical interest, used in the context of medieval English land measurement.