LAIRWITE

lairwite (lair-wIt), n. [fr. Saxon lagan “to lie” + wite “a fine”] Hist. A fine for adultery or fornication paid to the lord of the manor; esp., a lord’s privilege of receiving a fine for fornication with the lord’s female villeins. — Also termed lairesite; lecherwite (lech-[schwa]r-wIt); legerwite; leirwita; leyerwite; legenita (l[schwa]-jen-[schwa]-t[ schwa]); legruita (l[schwa]-groo-[schwa]-t[schwa]).