noun
historical, rare LawThe fixing or settling of a fine or amercement, typically by adjusting a generally prescribed penalty according to the particular circumstances of an offender and his or her offence; assessment, especially of the fairness and suitability of fines and amercements.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Rastell's Termes de la Ley. From affeer + -ment, after Law French afferement or post-classical Latin afferamentum, afforamentum, affuramentum.
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