commendam Hear it!

commendam Definition

com·men·dam (kə mendam′)

noun

  1. the temporary holding of a benefice, with the right to its revenues, by a cleric or layman in the absence of a proper incumbent: he was said to hold the benefice in commendam
  2. a benefice held in this way

Etymology: < ML dare in commendam, to give in trust: see commandery