Obs. Forms: 5 forthingdole, 6–7 farthendele, 7–8 fardingdeal(e, farthingdole, far(r)undell. [repr. OE. féorðan dǽl, accus. of féorða dǽl, fourth part: see FOURTH and DEAL sb. Cf. HALVENDEAL, THRIDDENDEAL. The first element was afterwards regarded as a form of FARTHING.]

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  1.  gen. A fourth part.

2

a. 1400–50.  Alexander, 3844. Als fast as þai þe forthingdole had of þe flode past.

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  2.  spec. a. The fourth part of an acre; a rood.

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1542.  Recorde, Gr. Artes (1575), 208. A Rod of lande, whiche some call a roode … some a Farthendele.

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1600.  T. Hylles, Arith., 67 a. A farthendele or roode of lande.

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1607.  Cowel, Interpr., Farding deale alias Farundell of land (Quadrantata terrae) signifieth the fourth part of an acre.

7

1692–1732.  in Coles.

8

1721–1800.  in Bailey.

9

1835.  Rep. Muncipal Corporations Comm., II. App. 1248. The remaining … acres are divided into quarter acres, called ‘farthingdoles.’

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  b.  See quot.; = FARTHING 4 b.

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c. 1640.  J. Smyth, Lives Berkeleys (1883), I. 156. Quarter of a yard land called a farrundell.

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