pyritegium

pyritegium [pyr < πῦρ+CL tegere+-ium; cf. ML ignitegium] , regulation to cover or extinguish fires announced (by ringing a bell) at fixed time in evening, curfew, also the time of evening at which the regulation is announced. a1196 ipso die, ad completorium ‥ conveniant, ibique loquantur ‥ non tamen ultra piritegium hora loquendi proteletur G. S. Alb. I 208; 1275 idem Judeus post piritegium ivit in regia strata contra defensionem majoris et ballivorum [Linc’] Hund. I 327b; veniunt ballivi Stanford’ ad domos predictorum burgensium aliquando post pulsacionem piritegii nocte Ib. I 356b.