/frangk"plej'/ , n. Old Eng. Law.
1. a system of dividing a community into tithings or groups of ten men, each member of which was responsible for the conduct of the other members of his group and for the assurance that a member charged with a breach of the law would be produced at court.
2. a member of a tithing.
3. the tithing itself.
[ 1250-1300; ME fra ( u ) nkplegge frauncplege. See FRANK 1 , PLEDGE ]