commendam

[ kuh-men-dam ]

nounEcclesiastical.
  1. the tenure of a benefice to be held until the appointment of a regular incumbent, the benefice being said to be held in commendam.

  2. a benefice so held.

Origin of commendam

1
1555–65; <Medieval Latin, short for (dare) in commendam (to give) in trust; commendam, accusative singular of commenda, noun derivative of Latin commendāre to commend

Words Nearby commendam

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How to use commendam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for commendam

commendam

/ (kəˈmɛndæm) /


noun
  1. the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice

  2. a benefice so held

Origin of commendam

1
C16: from Medieval Latin phrase dare in commendam to give in trust, from commenda trust, back formation from Latin commendāre to entrust, commend

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