quitrent

[ kwit-rent ]

noun

1. rent rent paid by a freeholder or copyholder in lieu of services that might otherwise have been required.

quitrent

/ ˈkwɪtˌrɛnt /

noun

1. (formerly) a rent payable by a freeholder or copyholder to his lord that released him from liability to perform services

Word History and Origins

Origin of quitrent¹

late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; quit ¹, rent ¹

Example Sentences

And a so-called quitrent of “one shilling sterling for every one hundred acres,” due on March 1 of each year.

From Washington Times

And a so-called quitrent of “one shilling sterling for every one hundred acres,” due on March 1 of each year.

From Seattle Times

At last he had the happiness, while reading his lecture--he was just come to the subject of Forest Salt and Coin Regalities--to descry through the window of his auditorium a quitrent hen suspended, like Ignatius Loyola in prayer, or Juno in her punishment, in middle-air.

From Project Gutenberg

"I begin," said the angling lord of the manor, "with taking Rutcher-dues, for so we call the triple and quintuple of the original quitrent, when the vassal, as is the case here, has long neglected payment."

From Project Gutenberg

On twenty-six specified lots or townships a quitrent of six shillings on every hundred acres was reserved, on twenty-nine lots four shillings, and on eleven lots two shillings, payable annually on one half of the grant at the expiration of five years, and on the whole at the expiration of ten years after the date of the grants.

From Project Gutenberg