commendam

American  

[kuh-men-dam] / kəˈmɛn dæm /

noun

Ecclesiastical.

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

2. a benefice so held.

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commendam British  

/ kəˈmɛndæm /

noun

1. the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice

2. a benefice so held

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Etymology

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

Example Sentences

He held "in commendam" the abbey of St. Albans, and many other church preferments.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part C. From Henry VII. to Mary by Hume, David

In the House of Commons this evening there was an almost unanimous shout when Peel admitted that the new Bishop of Exeter was to hold the living of Stanhope in commendam.

From A Political Diary 1828-1830, Volume II by Ellenborough, Edward Law, Earl of

Under the rule of abbots in commendam it declined, and it was dying with only six religious to look after it when the Revolution suppressed it.

From En Route by Huysmans, J.-K. (Joris-Karl)

He filled the office of vice-chancellor from 1666 to 1669, and was consecrated bishop of Oxford, in 1676, retaining his deanery in commendam.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various

A trial was held before Coke in which one of the counsel denied the validity of a grant made by the king to the bishop of Lichfield of a benefice to be held in commendam.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6 "Cockaigne" to "Columbus, Christopher" by Various