prisage

noun

pri·​sage
ˈprīzij,
prēˈzäzh
variants or less commonly prise
ˈprīz,
-rēz
plural -s
1
a
: the right of the crown under old English law to take one tun of wine from every ship importing from 10 to 20 tuns and 2 tuns from every ship importing 20 or more compare butlerage
b
: wine so taken
2
: the share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea that belongs to the king under old English law

Word History

Etymology

prisage from Middle English prise prisage + -age; prise from Middle English, from Old French, act of taking, seizure (booty)

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Cite this Entry

“Prisage.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prisage. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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