virgate Hear it!

virgate1 definition

vir·gate (vʉr′git, -gāt′)

noun

a former English unit of land measure varying greatly in size, but most commonly equal to about 30 acres

Etymology: ML virgata (terrae) < L virga, twig (see verge): used as transl. of OE gierdland, yardland

virgate2 definition

vir·gate (-git, -gāt′)

adjective

  1. rod-shaped
  2. Bot. long, thin, and stiff, with few branches

Etymology: ModL virgatus < L, made of twigs < virga, twig: see verge

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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