Wāp'en-tāke, n.

(Synop., § 130), n. [A-S. wapenge-tāce, wapentāce, so called, as some think, because the inhabitants within such divisions were taught the use of arms, from wæpen, a weapon, and tæcan, to teach. According to others, this name had its origin in a custom of touching lances or spears when the hundredred, or chief, entered on his office. “Cum quis accipiebat præfecturam wapentachii, die statuto in loco ubi consueverant congregari, omnes majores natu contra eum conveniebant, et descendente eo de equo suo, omnes assurgebant ei. Ipse vero, erecta lancea sua, ab omnibus secundum morem fœdus accipiebat; omnes enim quotquot venissent cum lanceis suis ipsius hastam tangebant, et ita se confirmabant per contactum armorum, pace palam concessa. Wæpnu enim arma sonat; tac, tactus est—hac de causa totus ille conventus dicitur Wapentac, eo quod per tactum armorum suorum ad invicem confœderati sunt.” L.L. Edward Confessor, 33. Wilkins.] In some northern counties of England, a division or district, answering to the Hundred or Centred in other counties. Yorkshire is divided into wapentakes, instead of hundreds. The name was first given to the meeting described above. [Written also wapentac.] Selden. Blackstone.