outfangthief
A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon…A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon thieves (particularly their own tenants) captured outside their estates and to keep any chattels forfeited upon conviction.
Meaning
3 senses(historical, rare)A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon thieves (particularly their own tenants) captured outside their estates and to keep any chattels forfeited upon conviction.
(historical, rare)A privilege of some feudal lords permitting them to execute summary judgment upon all thieves captured within their estates, regardless of their origin.
(countable, historical, rare)A thief so captured and tried.
Origin
From out- + fang + thief, formed—probably in Middle English [Term?]—after the model of infFrom out- + fang + thief, formed—probably in Middle English [Term?]—after the model of infangthief, with the only Old English [Term?] attestation a spurious charter forged in the 1st half of the 12th century.
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