soke

noun

1
: the right in Anglo-Saxon and early English law to hold court and administer justice with the franchise to receive certain fees or fines arising from it : jurisdiction over a territory or over people
2
: the district included in a soke jurisdiction or franchise

Word History

Etymology

Middle English soc, soke, from Old English soka, from Medieval Latin soca, from Old English sōcn inquiry, jurisdiction; akin to Old English sēcan to seek

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of soke was in the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near soke

Cite this Entry

“Soke.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soke. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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