virgate

1 of 2

noun

vir·gate ˈvər-ˌgāt

: an old English unit of land area usually understood as equaling one quarter of a hide (thirty acres)

virgate

2 of 2

adjective

: shaped like a rod or wand

a virgate one-flowered branch

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Medieval Latin virgata, from virga, a land measure, from Latin, rod

Adjective

New Latin virgatus, from Latin, made of twigs, from virga

First Known Use

Noun

1655, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1821, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of virgate was in 1655

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virga

virgate

virgater

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Virgate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/virgate. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.

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virgate

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