demesne
Americannoun
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possession of land as one's own.
land held in demesne.
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an estate or part of an estate occupied and controlled by, and worked for the exclusive use of, the owner.
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land belonging to and adjoining a manor house; estate.
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the dominion or territory of a sovereign or state; domain.
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a district; region.
noun
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land, esp surrounding a house or manor, retained by the owner for his own use
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property law the possession and use of one's own property or land
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the territory ruled by a state or a sovereign; realm; domain
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a region or district; domain
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of demesne
1250–1300; Middle English demeine < Anglo-French demesne, Old French demein; see domain
Explanation
In medieval Europe, a demesne was the part of a lord's land that he kept for his own use. These days, it's more often used to mean "property" or "territory." The term demesne was originally used to distinguish land totally controlled by a lord from areas that were turned over to tenants. Demesne lands were often farmed and tended by serfs, with the profits or crops going to the lord and his family. Demesne comes from the Latin dominicus, "belonging to a master," and its root domus, "house," which it shares with domicile.
Vocabulary lists containing demesne
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Lord Devonport, or Terence Kearley, the 3rd Viscount Devonport, is a retired architect and philanthropist who has spent many years regenerating his Ray Demesne estate near Otterburn.
From BBC • May 6, 2018
Christie’s made the most of the Lyons Demesne motif — house sales traditionally gave furniture and other objects a halo that substantially enhanced their commercial value.
From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2011
Whereupon, the 2nd Baron Cloncurry redirected his energy toward the embellishment of Lyons Demesne and embarked on a wild art-buying spree in Italy.
From New York Times • Jul. 22, 2011
This early bloom was spotted at Downhill Demesne in Northern Ireland.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2011
“What do you mean by good intentions?” asked Lady Demesne very sweetly.
From Lady Barbarina The Siege of London, An International Episode and Other Tales by James, Henry
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
