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demesne definition

de·mesne (di mān′; also, -mēn′)

noun

  1. Law possession (of real estate) in one's own right
  2. Historical the land or estate belonging to a lord and not rented or let but kept in his hands
  3. the land around a mansion; lands of an estate
  4. a region or domain: also used figuratively

Etymology: ME & OFr demeine < L dominium (see domain); sp. altered by assoc. with OFr mesnee, household < L mansio: see mansion

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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