Curtilage Definition

kûrtl-ĭj
noun
The area considered legally part of a house or dwelling by virtue of its enclosure by a fence or habitual use in domestic activities.
American Heritage
The fenced-in ground and buildings immediately surrounding a house or dwelling.
Webster's New World
The land immediately surrounding a dwelling, such as a yard and outbuildings, where some of the regular activity of the occupant’s home life takes place, where the occupant has a reasonable expectation of privacy, and that is usually demarcated, fenced off, or otherwise clearly protected from public scrutiny. Such land is regarded as a part of the dwelling itself and is protected from warrantless searches under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Also called open fields doctrine or messuage.
Webster's New World Law
Synonyms:

Other Word Forms of Curtilage

Noun

Singular:
curtilage
Plural:
curtilages

Origin of Curtilage

  • Middle English from Old French courtillage from courtil diminutive of cort court court

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Old French cortillage, curtillage, from cortil court, courtyard, Latin cortis court. See court.

    From Wiktionary

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