maritage

noun

mar·​i·​tage

ˈmarətij

variants or less commonly maritagium

ˌ⸗⸗ˈtājēəm

plural maritages

-jə̇z

also maritagia

-ēə

1

: the property brought to a husband by a wife according to feudal custom upon her marriage

2

a

: the right of a feudal lord to dispose in a marriage of the heiress, minor heir, or widow of a vassal

b(1)

: a payment made by a vassal in return for the lord's waiver of such right

(2)

: a fine imposed on a vassal for his violation of such right

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin maritagium, from Old French mariage, maritage, marriage

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