Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

heriot

noun
her·​i·​ot | \ ˈher-ē-ət How to pronounce heriot (audio) \

Definition of heriot

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

First Known Use of heriot

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for heriot

Middle English, from Old English heregeatwe, plural, military equipment, from here army (akin to Old High German heri army) + geatwe equipment — more at harry

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about heriot

Statistics for heriot

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for heriot

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

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on heriot

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with heriot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about heriot

Comments on heriot

What made you want to look up heriot? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

inexorable

Listen to the pronounciation of inexorable

not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

  • roman forum
  • Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games