freelage
English
Alternative forms
- freeledge, freelege, freelidge, frelidge
Etymology
From earlier frelage, probably from Middle English *freolache, *freleche, deverbal of Middle English *freolachen, *frelechen (“to be liberal, be generous”) (compare Middle English freolac, freolaic, vreoleic, freolec (“liberality, generosity”)), from Old English *frēolǣċan (“to give freely, offer generously”); equivalent to free + Middle English -leche, related to English -lock. Related to Old English frēolāc (“free-will offering, oblation”). Compare knowledge.
Noun
freelage (plural freelages)
- (Britain dialectal) Privilege; immunity; franchise; the freedom or privilege of a burgess in a corporation.
- (Britain dialectal) An heritable property as distinguished from a farm.
Adjective
freelage (comparative more freelage, superlative most freelage)
- (Britain dialectal) Heritable.