heriot

[ her-ee-uht ]

noun

, English Law.

1. a feudal service or tribute, originally of borrowed military equipment and later of a chattel, due to the lord on the death of a tenant.

heriot

/ ˈhɛrɪət /

noun

1. (in medieval England) a death duty paid by villeins and free tenants to their lord, often consisting of the dead man's best beast or chattel

Word History and Origins

Origin of heriot¹

before 900; Middle English heriot, heriet, Old English heregeate, heregeatu, heregeatwa war gear, equivalent to here army + geate, etc., equipment; cognate with Old Norse gǫtvar (plural)

Word History and Origins

Origin of heriot¹

Old English heregeatwa, from here army + geatwa equipment

Example Sentences

One memorable scene in Edinburgh was filmed in The Vennel, an historic staircase that runs from The Grassmarket along the boundary of George Heriot's School.

From BBC

Initially the Loughbrough Lightning lock - who still faces further surgery to completely remove the tumour - thought she was simply feeling under the weather when her neck became sore at the end of a training camp at Heriot Watt University.

From BBC

At George Heriot’s School – which was founded in the 17th century to provide for some of Edinburgh’s poorest children – Mrs Gibson claimed a “pain point where people will not be able to afford to go beyond” will arrive with the fee increase.

From BBC

George Heriot’s had already increased fees by 6% for the 2024/25 year, and while it’s unclear what will happen with the VAT increase, the last letter it sent to parents suggested the school won’t absorb all of those costs.

From BBC

Long believed to have been the inspiration for the school in Harry Potter, George Heriot’s has stood for nearly 400 years, commanding spellbinding views of Edinburgh Castle and accruing an impressive alumni.

From BBC