heriot

/ˈhɛriət/

Definitions

1. noun

A payment or fine formerly paid by Scottish landholders to their lord after the death of the landholder, and also a payment made to a lord for the right to inherit land.

“The heriot paid to the lord was a significant burden for the family after the patriarch’s passing.”

Synonyms

  • duty
  • heriots
  • land tax

Antonyms

  • gift
  • inheritance