Out
Definition and meaning of Out in real estate.
An out is a historical surveying unit of measurement equal to ten chains, or 660 feet, derived from the practice of surveyors running out of stakes when measuring land boundaries.
In more detail
This term originates from the early days of land surveying in the United States, when chains and wooden pins were standard tools. Surveyors carried ten tally pins, placing one at the end of each chain length of 66 feet. When all ten pins were placed in the ground, the surveyors had run out of stakes, marking a distance of one out.
Understanding these historical units is useful when researching old deeds, land patents, and historical property boundaries in rural areas.
Key facts
| Category | Legal, Titles & Closing |
|---|---|
| Equivalent distance | 660 feet or 10 chains |
| Historical origin | Early American land surveying practices |
| Primary use | Interpreting historical deeds and property descriptions |
A historical boundary deed from the nineteenth century describes a property line as running three outs north from a specific white oak tree, which translates to a distance of 1,980 feet.
Frequently asked questions
What is a chain in historical land surveying?
A chain, specifically Gunter's chain, is a unit of length equal to 66 feet, which was divided into 100 links. Ten chains make up one out, and eighty chains make up one mile.
Are historical surveying terms like out still used in modern deeds?
While modern deeds use precise measurements like feet, meters, and GPS coordinates, historical terms still appear when reviewing chain of title records or resolving boundary disputes for older parcels.