freelage
English
editAlternative forms
editEtymology
editFrom 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
editfreelage (countable and uncountable, plural freelages)
- (Scotland, Northern England) Privilege; immunity; franchise; the freedom or privilege of a burgess in a corporation.
- (Scotland, Northern England) A heritable property (as distinguished from a farm).
Adjective
editfreelage (comparative more freelage, superlative most freelage)