METAYER SYSTEM

metayer system (me-tay-y<<schwa>>r or met-<<schwa>>-yay). An agricultural system in which land is divided into small farms among single families who pay a landlord a fixed portion — usu. half — of the produce and the landlord provides the stock. • The system was formerly prevalent in parts of France and Italy, and in the southern part of the United States. — Also written métayer system.

[Blacks Law 8th]