alnage

noun

al·​nage

ˈal-nij,

ˈȯl-

plural -s

old English law

: measurement of cloth by the ell especially with official inspection and certification

also : a fee for such measurement

Word History

Etymology

Middle English aulnage, from Middle French, from aulner to measure by the ell (from aulne ell, of Germanic origin, akin to Old High German elina ell) + -age

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

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