Groundage

/ˈɡraʊndɪdʒ/ noun

Definition

A fee or charge paid for the right to use or occupy ground or land, especially in a port or market.

Etymology

From 'ground' plus the suffix '-age' (a general noun-forming suffix), similar to 'moorage' or 'anchorage,' indicating a fee charged for using a particular space.

Kelly Says

Groundage was particularly important in medieval and early modern ports—records show merchants paying groundage fees to use specific plots for markets, and these fees were a significant revenue source for port cities.

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