maritage

M3A1R1I1T1A1G2E1

noun

The right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage.

Scrabble 11

Meanings

nounmaritage (countable and uncountable, plural maritages)

plural maritages · alternative maritagium

  1. countableuncountablelawThe right of the lord of the fee to dispose of the heiress, later also of the male heir, in marriage.

    And they may sell the wardship of the lands, and the maritages of the heirs, if they are not married, but they cannot alienate any part of the inheritance or they may offend as regards a remaindership.

    1879, Rerum Britannicarum Medii Ævi Scriptores
  2. countableuncountablelawThe property bought by the couple upon their marriage under the feudal customs.
  3. countableuncountablelawThe fine paid by the vassal to the feudal lord for failing to follow his maritage decision.

Synonyms & antonyms

Also see

Origin

  1. Medieval Latinmarītāgium
  2. Englishmaritage

From Medieval Latin marītāgium. Doublet of marriage.

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Cite this entry
APA

maritage. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/maritage

MLA

“maritage.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/maritage. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “maritage,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/maritage.

Source: maritage on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.