tithingman

2 definitions found

tithingman - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Tithingman \Tith"ing*man\, n.; pl. Tithingmen.
     1. (O. Eng. Law) The chief man of a tithing; a headborough;
        one elected to preside over the tithing.
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     2. (Law) A peace officer; an under constable.
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     3. A parish officer elected annually to preserve good order
        in the church during divine service, to make complaint of
        any disorderly conduct, and to enforce the observance of
        the Sabbath. [Local, U. S.]
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  Headborough \Head"bor*ough\ Headborrow
  \Head"bor*row\(h[e^]d"b[u^]r*[-o]), n.
     1. The chief of a frankpledge, tithing, or decennary,
        consisting of ten families; -- called also borsholder,
        boroughhead, boroughholder, and sometimes
        tithingman. See Borsholder. [Eng.] --Blackstone.
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     2. (Modern Law) A petty constable. [Eng.]
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