commonage

American  

[kom-uh-nij] / ˈkɒm ə nɪdʒ /

noun

1. the joint use of anything, especially a pasture.

2. the state of being held in common.

3. something that is so held, as land.

4. commonalty.

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commonage British  

/ ˈkɒmənɪdʒ /

noun

1. law

   1. the use of something, esp a pasture, in common with others

   2. the right to such use

2. the state of being held in common

3. something held in common, such as land

4. another word for commonalty

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Etymology

Origin of commonage

First recorded in 1600–10; common + -age

Example Sentences

The indaba began upon small matters, a recent dispute or two as to the ownership of cattle, or of land commonage, and so forth.

From Forging the Blades A Tale of the Zulu Rebellion by Mitford, Bertram

No parcelling out of the land forbids him to improve to the least advantage the portion he possesses, and no right of commonage, belonging to many, prevents each from deriving profit from his share.

From The Empire of the East by Montgomery, H. B. (Helen Barrett)

The estate of Asbies contained fifty acres of arable land, six of meadow, and a right of commonage.

From Biographical Essays by De Quincey, Thomas

We came over a rolling down towards the commonage.

From Cinderella in the South Twenty-Five South African Tales by Cripps, Arthur Shearly

Sheep had fallen heavily in value; our flock could not be realized without incurring a ruinous loss, so it was kept for a time on the town commonage.

From Reminiscences of a South African Pioneer by Scully, W. C. (William Charles)

Related Words

• cooperative
• kibbutz
• municipality
• village