oxgang
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English oxegang, from Old English oxangang (“an eighth of a plough-land, a hide”), equivalent to ox + gang.
Noun[edit]
oxgang (plural oxgangs)
- (archaic or Old English Law) The area of land that could be ploughed by an ox in a day; one eighth of a carucate.
- (archaic or Old English Law) A measure of land of uncertain quantity.
- (archaic, UK dialectal, Scotland) A measure of land equivalent to thirteen acres.
Usage notes[edit]
- Land was normally ploughed with a team of eight oxen. An oxgang is roughly 13-15 acres, an eighth share of the land ploughed by an ox team in a day. The area differed by locality. In Scottish law it was about 13 acres - but this was also dependent on soil quality.
Synonyms[edit]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- Worchester, Joseph. A Dictionary of the English Language. Boston, 1881.
