gersum

English

Alternative forms

• grassum (Scotland)

Etymology

From Middle English gersom, gersum, from Old English gærsum, gersum, gærsuma, from Old Norse gersemi, gørsemi (“treasure”), from gerr, gǫrr (“ready”) +‎ -semi (“-ness”), with the ending assimilated to native -sum. Compare garrison.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɜːsəm/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɝsəm/

Noun

gersum (plural gersums)

1. (law, historical) A lump sum paid by individuals who take a lease of landed property in England.
   • 1610, William Camden, “Northfolke”, in Philémon Holland, transl., Britain, or A Chorographicall Description of the Most Flourishing Kingdomes, England, Scotland, and Ireland, […], London: […] [Eliot’s Court Press for] Georgii Bishop & Ioannis Norton, →OCLC, page 474:

     […] but now it paieth ſeauentie pounds by weight to the King, and an hundred ſhillings for a *Gerſume to the Queene;

   • 1858, James A. Morgan, “III: Money, Rent, and Agricultural Affairs”, in England under the Norman Occupation‎^[1], London: Williams & Norgate, →OCLC, page 47:

     Otherwise, the gersum was in ready money, and the bulk of the rent in uncoined silver.

   • 1996, Emma Mason, “Donors of Westminster Abbey Charters”, in Westminster Abbey and its people, c.1050-c.1216‎^[2], Woodbridge, Suffolk: Boydell Press, →ISBN, page 315:

     In the latter sample, there are two joint grants, plus one made with the wife's consent. In two more , a gersum rendered to the wife is sole evidence of her participation.

Middle English

Noun

gersum

1. Alternative form of gersom