Hēr'i-ot, n.

n. [L. Lat. heriotum, herietum, hariotum, arms of war, A-S. heregeatu, heregeatæ, heregeat, a military preparation, what was given to the lord of the manor to prepare for war, from here, army, and geatu, geatæ, provision, supply, from getan, gitan, to get.] (Eng. Law.) A payment or tribute of arms or military accoutrements, or the best beast; or, in modern use, a customary tribute of goods or chattels to the lord of the fee, made on the decease of a tenant. Blackstone. Bouvier.

Heriot custom, a heriot depending on usage.—Heriot service (Law), a heriot due by reservation in a grant or lease of lands. Spelman. Blackstone.