arpent

[ ahr-puhnt; French ar-pahn ]

noun

, plural ar·pents [ahr, -p, uh, nts, a, r, -, pahn].

1. an old French unit of area equal to about one acre (0.4 hectare). It is still used in the province of Quebec and in parts of Louisiana.

arpent

/ arpɑ̃; ˈɑːpənt /

noun

1. a former French unit of length equal to 190 feet (approximately 58 metres)
2. an old French unit of land area equal to about one acre: still used in Quebec and Louisiana

Word History and Origins

Origin of arpent¹

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin arepennis half-acre < Gaulish; akin to MIr airchenn unit of area

Word History and Origins

Origin of arpent¹

C16: from Old French, probably from Late Latin arepennis half an acre, of Gaulish origin; related to Middle Irish airchenn unit of land measure

Example Sentences

The arpent in modern France has varied greatly in different localities.

From Project Gutenberg

The ground in the rear belongs to the general government, to the depth of forty arpents, and can be used for the benefit of the troops.

From Project Gutenberg

Soon the alloted arpents which, in the exercise of "squatter sovereignty," had been appropriated by each family as a home lot, were surveyed, divided, staked and sold, and an embryo city was rising thereon.

From Project Gutenberg

She has an 'arpent' now of her very own.

From Project Gutenberg

The usual size of a Seigniory, whether granted to a soldier or to a civilian, was four arpents in front by forty in depth.

From Project Gutenberg