virgate

1 of 2

noun

vir·​gate ˈvər-ˌgāt How to pronounce virgate (audio)
: an old English unit of land area usually understood as equaling one quarter of a hide (thirty acres)

virgate

2 of 2

adjective

: shaped like a rod or wand
a virgate one-flowered branch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin virgata, from virga, a land measure, from Latin, rod

Adjective

New Latin virgatus, from Latin, made of twigs, from virga

First Known Use

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of virgate was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near virgate

Cite this Entry

“Virgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virgate. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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