gavelkind Meaning, Definition & Usage

Gav"el*kind` noun

Etymology

OE. gavelkynde, gavelkende. See Gavel tribute, and Kind, n.

Definitions

1. (O. Eng. Law) A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying without issue, descended equally to his brothers. It still prevails in the county of Kent. Cowell.