AVERPENNY Meaning and
Definition
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Averpenny is a term with origins in medieval English law, specifically related to the legal concept of "aver." It is defined as a contribution or assessment imposed upon tenants in a particular area, typically in order to fund the maintenance and repair of fences, walls, or other communal boundaries. The term "averpenny" can be understood as the amount of money or compensation required from each tenant for this purpose.
In essence, an averpenny was a monetary fee exacted for the collective responsibility of maintaining and preserving the common property shared by a community. It was often administered by the lord or landowner, who would collect the averpennies from the tenants to secure the necessary funds for communal upkeep. This form of financial imposition aimed to distribute the costs of boundary maintenance equitably among all those benefitting from the communal property.
The word "averpenny" is composed of two parts. "Aver" derives from the Old English term "ærgere," which means "to put at stake or guarantee." "Penny" refers to the basic unit of English currency, signifying the financial aspect of the contribution. Together, "averpenny" reflects the legal and financial obligations tied to the maintenance of shared boundaries in medieval society.
While no longer in common usage, the term "averpenny" serves as a historical reminder of the legal frameworks and communal responsibilities prevalent during the medieval period in England.
Common Misspellings for AVERPENNY
- zverpenny
- sverpenny
- wverpenny
- qverpenny
- acerpenny
- aberpenny
- agerpenny
- aferpenny
- avwrpenny
- avsrpenny
- avdrpenny
- avrrpenny
- av4rpenny
- av3rpenny
- aveepenny
- avedpenny
- avefpenny
- avetpenny
- ave5penny
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