geneat - What does it mean?

'geneat' hits on the web

(en-noun)

(historical) A retainer; vassal; one who holds lands of a superior either by service or payment of rent.

* 1861 , C. H. Pearson, Early & Middle Ages Eng. I. 201 :

The tenants, cotsetlas, geburs, and geneats , were the highest among the semiservile.

* 1872 , E. W. Robertson, Hist. Ess. 101 :

The right of the husbandman was a share right, his name was Geneat or sharer in the vill.

* 1892 , F. Seebohm in Hist. Rev. July 458:

In each manor there is the same division into land in demesne and land in villainage, the inland and the geneat land.

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