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.

---

commendam British  

/ kəˈmɛndæm /

noun

1. the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice

2. a benefice so held

---

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

Court favourites were abbots in commendam, held prebendaries, without being in holy orders, sixfold pluralists abounded, ecclesiastical hippopotami, that might fairly be hunted.

From Castles and Cave Dwellings of Europe by Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)

The first Protestant bishop of the see was John Todd, who was appointed to Down and Connor on 16th of March, 1606, and received at the same time the diocese of Dromore in commendam.

From The Irish Ecclesiastical Record, Volume 1, August 1865 by Clergymen, Society of

He held offices both in the Aberdeen University and in the State, and in 1566 Queen Mary bestowed on him the Abbey of Lindores in commendam, and subsequently appointed him Bishop of Ross.

From Scottish Cathedrals and Abbeys by Butler, Dugald

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

Along with this abbey of Dryburgh, he held in commendam those of Pittenweem, Coldingham, and Dunfermline.

From Seeing Europe with Famous Authors, Volume 2 Great Britain and Ireland, Part 2 by Halsey, Francis W. (Francis Whiting)