Vernacle

Ver´na`cle

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, published 1913 by G. & C. Merriam Co.

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81r) (Have six thousand seven hundred five and fifty year/and half a year and days three)." (134) Within the Arma Christi, there is a separate indulgence, the second, just for gazing at the vernicle: "And ich bischop sayd to-for-hand/For syzt of pe vernacul hath graunt/xl dayus to pardon" (And I, the bishop who said earlier/ for the sight of the vernacle shall grant/ 40 days to pardon).

Female readers, passion devotion, and the history of MS Royal 17 A. xxvii

A vernacle, preferably chosen by his master to occupy such a position, sometimes acquired certain precarious privileges (not rights), among which were those of land(7) and a house(8), of living quasi-conjugally and raising his female partner's children, who would normally belong not to the mother's partner but to her master.

(7.) A vernacle had precarious access to a small plot of land, which he worked to produce all or part of his own food.

(8.) A vernacle was authorized to reside in a small dwelling with a woman and possibly with her offspring.

In most slave-owning societies, however, a small minority of slaves, the vernacles, were authorized to mate and live together in a precarious household.