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

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)

In 1663, there was a “house called the Goat at Little Chelsea,” which, between that year and 1713, enjoyed the p. 95right of commonage for two cows and one heifer upon Chelsea Heath.

From A Walk from London to Fulham by Fairholt, F. W. (Frederick William)

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

The deer were suffered to run loose upon their lands; and many oppressions were used with relation to the claim of commonage which the people had in most of the forests.

From The Works of the Right Honourable Edmund Burke, Vol. 07 (of 12) by Burke, Edmund

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

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