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