(see below). Also 7 arpen, -ine (erron. arpentier). [a. F. arpent (= Pr. arpen, aripin):—L. arepennis (Columella), arapennis (Isidore) = semijugerum ‘half an acre,’ according to Columella a Gallic word. See Littré.] An obsolete French measure of land, containing a hundred square perches, and varying with the different values of the perch from about an acre and a quarter to about five-sixths of an acre.
1580. Hollyband, Treas. Fr. Tong., Demi arpent, halfe an arpent, that is, nine hundreth foote of grounde.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 550. An Acre or Arpen of ground, called in Latine Iugerum.
1622. Malynes, Anc. Law-Merch., 51. The partition of Lands by Measures, Acres, Arpentiers, Bunderen.
1623. J. Webster, Devil’s Law-Case, III. iii. in Hazl., Dodsl., III. 74. If he be master Of poor ten arpines of land.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Corn, As many Pounds of Salt-petre … as you have Arpents of Land to sow.
1869. Parkman, Discov. Gt. West, i. (1875), 7. La Salle had … assigned to each settler half an arpent, or about a third of an acre.
