Emily Dickinson Lexicon

HIDE, n.¹ [According to Lye, Sax. Dict. under weal-stylling, this word signified originally a station, covered place, or place of refuge for besiegers against the attacks of the besieged. Qu.]

In the ancient laws of England, a certain portion of land, the quantity of which however is not well ascertained. Some authors consider it as the quantity that could be tilled with one plow; others, as much as would maintain a family. Some suppose it to be 60, some 80, and others 100 acres. Spelman. Encyc.