freelage

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English

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Alternative forms

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Etymology

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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

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freelage (countable and uncountable, plural freelages)

  1. (Scotland, Northern England) Privilege; immunity; franchise; the freedom or privilege of a burgess in a corporation.
  2. (Scotland, Northern England) A heritable property (as distinguished from a farm).

Adjective

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freelage (comparative more freelage, superlative most freelage)

  1. (Scotland, Northern England) Heritable.