Etymograph

English

freelage

Freelage may come from Middle English *freolache.

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*freolacheuncertain
  2. Englishtodayfreelage

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Earlier history uncertain.

Lineage

  1. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500*freolacheuncertain
  2. Englishtodayfreelage

The story

From earlier frelage, probably from Middle English *freolache, *freleche, deverbal of Middle English *freolachen, *frelechen (‘to be liberal, be generous’) (compare Middle English freolac, freolaic, vreoleic, freolec (‘liberality, generosity’)), from Old English *frēolǣċan (‘to give freely, offer generously’); equivalent to free + Middle English -leche, related to English -lock.

Every English word from Middle English *freolache

Today it means

noun Privilege; immunity; franchise; the freedom or privilege of a burgess in a corporation.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Middle English *freolache / freelage

Shirt and support for this word