muniment

American  

[myoo-nuh-muhnt] / ˈmyu nə mənt /

noun

1. Law. muniments, a document, as a title deed or a charter, by which rights or privileges are defended or maintained.

2. Archaic. a defense or protection.

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muniment British  

/ ˈmjuːnɪmənt /

noun

1. rare a means of defence

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Etymology

Origin of muniment

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin mūnīmentum document (e.g., title, deed) for use in defense against a claimant, Latin: defense, protection, originally, fortification, equivalent to mūnī ( re ) to fortify + -mentum -ment

Example Sentences

He thought it improbable that, with General Sadgrove in the house and Azimoolah somewhere loose around it, any of the gang would break in unseen, still less that they would reach the muniment room.

From The Duke Decides by Hill, Headon

The opening into a branch passage, leading to another part of the mansion, lay between Ziegler and the muniment room, and there was a bare chance that he might turn in that direction.

From The Duke Decides by Hill, Headon

An old muniment chest Change in poetic spirit. and a roll of yellow parchment were the finest incentives to the new spirit of the picturesque.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various

In the light of Sprot’s real confessions, hitherto lying in the Haddington muniment room, we know the Indictment to be a false and garbled document. 

From James VI and the Gowrie Mystery by Lang, Andrew

The Past, with its stories, the stories that Mr Lambert's apprentice told her had been found in the muniment room at St Mary's, seemed to live before her.

From Bristol Bells A Story of the Eighteenth Century by Marshall, Emma