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demise

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Demise is defined as the act of dying or the end of something.

(noun)

An example of demise is a raccoon being run over by a car.
An example of demise is the collapse of a civilization.

See demise in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Law a transfer of an estate by lease, esp. for a fixed period
the transfer of sovereignty by death or abdication
a ceasing to exist; death

Origin: Fr démise, fem. pp. of OFr démettre, to dismiss, put away < L demittere: see demit

transitive verb demised, demising

to grant or transfer (an estate) by lease, esp. for a fixed period
to transfer (sovereignty) by death or abdication

See demise in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Death.
b. The end of existence or activity; termination: the demise of the streetcar.
Law Transfer of an estate by lease or will.
The transfer of a ruler's authority by death or abdication.

verb de·mised, de·mis·ing, de·mis·es

verb, transitive

Law To transfer (an estate) by will or lease.
To transfer (sovereignty) by abdication or will.

verb, intransitive

Law To be transferred by will or descent: The land demised to a charitable institution.
To die.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, transfer of property

Origin: , from Old French dimis

Origin: , past participle of demettre, to release; see demit

Related Forms:

de·misˈa·ble adjective

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