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.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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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