Main Entry: wa·pen·take

Pronunciation: \ˈwa-pən-ˌtāk, ˈwä-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English wǣpentæc, from Old Norse vāpnatak act of grasping weapons, from vāpn weapon + tak act of grasping, from taka to take; probably from the brandishing of weapons as an expression of approval when the chief of the wapentake entered upon his office — more at weapon, take

Date: before 12th century

: a subdivision of some English shires corresponding to a hundred