copyhold

American

[kop-ee-hohld] / ˈkɒp iˌhoʊld /

noun

(formerly) a type of ownership of land in England, evidenced by a copy of the manor roll establishing the title.
an estate held under such ownership.

copyhold British

/ ˈkɒpɪˌhəʊld /

noun

1. a tenure less than freehold of land in England evidenced by a copy of the Court roll
2. land held in this way

"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

Etymology

Origin of copyhold

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at copy, hold ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The very fact of copyhold thus gaining on villain socage may have pushed this last on towards freehold.

From Villainage in England Essays in English Mediaeval History by Vinogradoff, Paul

The Rowington copyhold also? and perchance mine already?

From Judith Shakespeare Her love affairs and other adventures by Black, William

FREEBENCH, in English law, the interest which a widow has in the copyhold lands of her husband, corresponding to dower in the case of freeholds.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 1 "Franciscans" to "French Language" by Various

It is, in fact, only a superior kind of copyhold, and the freehold is in the lord.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 8 "Cube" to "Daguerre, Louis" by Various

The Dalton family had been settled for several generations on a small copyhold estate in this village.

From Heroes of Science Chemists by Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison)

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023