alnage

Meanings

1. Measurement (of cloth) by the ell, specifically, official inspection and measurement of woollen cloth, and attestation of its value by the affixing of a lead seal, as was once required by British law.
2. A duty paid for such measurement.

Etymology

From Middle English aulnage, from Old French alnage, aulnage (modern French aunage), from alne (“ell”), of Germanic origin: compare Old High German elina, Gothic 𐌰𐌻𐌴𐌹𐌽𐌰 (aleina, “cubit”). See ell.