commendam

[ kuh-men-dam ]
/ kəˈmɛn dæm /

noun Ecclesiastical.

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

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of commendam

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

commemoratory, commence, commencement, commend, commendable, commendam, commendation, commendatory, commensal, commensalism, commensurable
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for commendam

British Dictionary definitions for commendam

commendam
/ (kəˈmɛndæm) /

noun

the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice
a benefice so held

Word Origin for commendam

C16: from Medieval Latin phrase dare in commendam to give in trust, from commenda trust, back formation from Latin commendāre to entrust, commend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012