arser in le main
arser in le main (ahr-say an l[schwa] man or an l[schwa] man), n. [French “burning in the hand”] Hist. A punishment of burning or branding the left thumb of a lay offender who falsely claimed and was allowed the benefit of clergy, so that the offender would be distinguished if he tried to claim the benefit again. — Also termed arsure en le main (ahr-soor awn l[schwa] man or awn l[schwa] man).