outfangthief

noun

out·​fang·​thief

ˈau̇tfəŋˌthēf

: the right of a lord under medieval English law to try in his manorial court a thief or other felon dwelling in his manor but caught outside it

—distinguished from infangthief

Word History

Etymology

Middle English outfangenthef, outfangthef, from Old English ūtfangenethēof, from ūt out + fangen (past participle of fōn to seize, capture) + thēof thief

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