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commendam

[ kuh-men-dam ]
/ kəˈmɛn dæm /
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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.
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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
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How to use commendam in a sentence

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
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