metayage

[mey-tah-yahzh]

metayage Definition

a system of farming in which the landlord contributes the land and the tenant contributes labor and shares in the harvest.

Using metayage: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "metayage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

  • Example

    The metayage system was widely used in medieval Europe.

  • Example

    In metayage, the landlord and tenant share the risks and rewards of farming.

  • Example

    Metayage was a common practice in the southern United States after the Civil War.

metayage Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for metayage

Phrases with metayage

  • a legal agreement between a landlord and tenant outlining the terms of their partnership in the metayage system

    Example

    The metayage contract specified that the landlord would provide the land and the tenant would provide the labor.

  • the practice of farming using the metayage system

    Example

    Metayage farming was prevalent in France during the Middle Ages.

  • the portion of the harvest that is given to the tenant in a metayage system

    Example

    The landlord took half of the harvest and the tenant received the metayage share.

Origins of metayage

from French 'métayage', from Old French 'méteüage', from 'méteü' meaning 'half' + '-age' meaning 'action, process'

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Summary: metayage in Brief

'Metayage' [mey-tah-yahzh] is a noun that refers to a system of farming where the landlord provides the land and the tenant provides labor and shares in the harvest. This system is also known as sharecropping or tenant farming. Examples of its use include 'The metayage system was widely used in medieval Europe.' and 'Metayage was a common practice in the southern United States after the Civil War.'