Obs. Forms: 2 ȝieresȝieve, 3 jherscheve, jaresive, 3–4 ȝeres-, yeresȝyve, -ȝiue, -ȝeue, -yeve, 5 ȝereseffe. [f. yeres, gen. of YEAR sb. + ȝive, ȝeue GIVE sb.1] A gift customarily given or exacted at the New Year, or at the beginning of a year of office.
1194. Charter Rich. I., in Rymer, Fœdera (1816), I. 52/2. Concessimus, quod sint quieti de bridtol, & de childwite, & de ȝieresȝieve.
1201. Charter Cambr., in Rot. Chart. (1837), 83/2. Quod omnes burgenses de Cantebruge sint quieti de jherscheve et de scothale.
1231. in Cal. Charter Rolls (1903), I. 130. [20 x. which were paid yearly to the constable of Bristoll from the land of Mangodesfeld by way of] jaresive.
1362. Langl., P. Pl., A. XI. 34. Wolde neuer kyng ne kniht ne Canoun of Seynt poules Ȝeuen hem to heore ȝeres-ȝiue þe value of a grote! Ibid. (1377), B. III. 99. Hem þat desireth Ȝiftes or ȝeresȝyues [MS. R. (14[?].) ȝereȝiftes] bi-cause of here offices. Ibid., VIII. 52. He ȝaf þe to ȝereȝyue to ȝeme wel þi-selue.
c. 1460. Promp. Parv., 548 (Winch.). Ȝereseffe, eucennium.
[1723. Bohun, Priv. Lond. (ed. 3), 35. Jeresgive, is a Toll or Fine, taken by the King’s Officers, on a Person’s entring into an Office; or rather, a … Bribe, given to them to connive at Extortion, or other Offence in him that gives it.]
