copyhold

[ kop-ee-hohld ]

/ ˈkɒp iˌhoʊld /

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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.

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Origin of copyhold

late Middle English word dating back to 1400–50; see origin at copy, hold¹

Words nearby copyhold

copyeditor, copyfight, copyfitting, copygirl, copygraph, copyhold, copyholder, copy in, copying machine, copyist, copyleft

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use copyhold in a sentence

The latter, indeed, was essentially changed by the establishment of the law of copyhold.
View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 (of 3)|Henry Hallam
But follow my counsel, and Cumnor Place shall be thy copyhold yet.
Kenilworth|Sir Walter Scott
His religion is part of his copyhold, which he takes from his landlord, and refers it wholly to his discretion.
Thackerayana|William Makepeace Thackeray
Again, it is not always easy to draw a line between copyhold and leasehold.
The Agrarian Problem in the Sixteenth Century|Richard Henry Tawney

There is not much difference, for example, between a lease for thirty-three years and a copyhold for life.
The Agrarian Problem in the Sixteenth Century|Richard Henry Tawney

British Dictionary definitions for copyhold

copyhold

/ (ˈkɒpɪˌhəʊld) /

noun law (formerly)

a tenure less than freehold of land in England evidenced by a copy of the Court roll
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