C19: from Latin virgātus made of twigs, from virga a rod
virgate in British English2
(ˈvɜːɡɪt, -ɡeɪt)
noun
British
an obsolete measure of land area, usually taken as equivalent to 30 acres
Word origin
C17: from Medieval Latin virgāta (terrae) a rod's measurement (of land), from Latin virga rod; the phrase is a translation of Old English gierd landes a yard of land
virgate in American English1
(ˈvɜrgɪt; ˈvɜrˌgeɪt)
noun
a former English unit of land measure varying greatly in size, but most commonly equal to about 30 acres
Word origin
ML virgata (terrae) < L virga, twig (see verge1): used as transl. of OE gierdland, yardland
virgate in American English2
(ˈvɜrgɪt; ˈvɜrˌgeɪt)
adjective
1.
rod-shaped
2. Botany
long, thin, and stiff, with few branches
Word origin
ModL virgatus < L, made of twigs < virga, twig: see verge1