† lairwite Old Law.
Also 1 leᵹerw{iacu}te, 3 learwite, 4 leyrewite.
[OE. leᵹerw{iacu}te, f. leᵹer lying, lair n.1 + w{iacu}te fine.]
A fine for fornication or adultery, esp. with a bondwoman.
| [a 1135 Laws of Hen. I, xxiii. §23 in Schmid Gesetze 447 Si quis blodwitam, fightwitam, legerwitam et hujusmodi forisfaciat.] c 1230 Hali Meid. 47 Þu..waldes warpe me as wrecche iþi learwite. 1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) II. 97 Leyrewite, amendes for liggynge by a bond womman. 1670 Blount Law Dict. s.v. Adultery, The penalty of this sin was called Lairwite by our Saxons. |