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Webster 1913 Edition

{

(frĭd′stōlˊ)

(frĭth′stoōlˊ)

}

Noun.

[AS.

friðstō

l. See

, and

A seat in churches near the altar, to which offenders formerly fled for sanctuary.

[Written variously

fridstool

freedstool

, etc.]

[Obs.]

frithstool ‎(plural frithstools)

(archaic) A stone seat, placed near the altar of a church, which afforded protection to those seeking sanctuary.