demise

[dih-mahyz]

noun

1. death or decease.

2. termination of existence or operation.

   the demise of the empire.

3. Law.

   1. a death or decease occasioning the transfer of an estate.

   2. a conveyance or transfer of an estate.

4. Government.,  transfer of sovereignty, as by the death or deposition of the sovereign.

verb (used with object)

demised, demising 

1. Law.,  to transfer (an estate or the like) for a limited time; lease.

2. Government.,  to transfer (sovereignty), as by the death or abdication of the sovereign.

verb (used without object)

demised, demising 

1. Law.,  to pass by bequest, inheritance, or succession.

demise

/ dɪˈmaɪz /

noun

1. failure or termination

   the demise of one's hopes

2. a euphemistic or formal word for death

3. property law

   1. a transfer of an estate by lease

   2. the passing or transfer of an estate on the death of the owner

4. the immediate transfer of sovereignty to a successor upon the death, abdication, etc, of a ruler (esp in the phrase demise of the crown )

verb

1. to transfer or be transferred by inheritance, will, or succession

2. (tr) property law to transfer (an estate, etc) for a limited period; lease

3. (tr) to transfer (sovereignty, a title, etc) by or as if by the death, deposition, etc, of a ruler

Other Word Forms

• demisability noun
• demisable adjective
• nondemise noun
• undemised adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of demise¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English demise, dimis(s)e, from Old French demis, past participle of desmetre, from Latin dīmittere “to send away, dismiss”; dismiss

Word History and Origins

Origin of demise¹

C16: from Old French, feminine of demis dismissed, from demettre to send away, from Latin dīmittere; see _dismiss

Example Sentences

RFK Jr. is probably responsible for a third to half of the demise in this stock.

Read more on Barron's

This year has seen the demise of Wales' largest theme park Oakwood, also in Pembrokeshire, which shut down after almost 40 years in March.

Read more on BBC

There will always be those who collaborate in their own demise.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

But there are some eerie findings associated with their eventual demise.

Read more on BBC

“Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated,” says the text over the photo, referencing a famous and famously misquoted line from the American literary icon.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• collapse 
• departure 
• dissolution 
• downfall 
• extinction 
• failure 
• passing 
• termination