Middle English Dictionary Entry
ā̆verāǧe n.
Entry Info
| Forms | ā̆verāǧe n. |
| Etymology | AF & AL, formed on ME āver (1); later confused with OF o(u)vrage. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A service owed by the tenant to his feudal superior [orig. consisting of work performed by the tenant with his draft animals].
Associated quotations
- [ c1325(a1300) Cust.Bleadon203 : Et idem faciet averagium apud Bristoll' et apud Wellias per totum annum. ]
- (1380) Halmote R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.82162 : Ad opera, viz., vocata Average.
- (1468) Deed Norris in LCRS 9314 : This longs to the Auerage. In primis Euery tenant that payes 10s. of rent or a bone gyffes a day with a plogh and a nother day with his worthynge Carte. And yf hit be under 10s. he schall brynge his horse and his youle to fylle a day. And also euery tenaunt that halds a bone 10s. shall fache a Ca[r]tfull a hay from Redall Medow, and yf he be under 10s. a day to make hay or elles gyffe a ld.; and euery man a day to delfe Turves and euery house a day to schere in harvest, or els to pay 2d.