copyhold

American  

[kop-ee-hohld] / ˈkɒp iˌhoʊld /

noun

1. (formerly) a type of ownership of land in England, evidenced by a copy of the manor roll establishing the title.

2. an estate held under such ownership.

---

copyhold British  

/ ˈkɒpɪˌhəʊld /

noun

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

   2. land held in this way

---

Etymology

Origin of copyhold

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

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

copyhold

One of the reasons of later confusion must be looked for in the fact that the pure villain holdings gradually got to be recognised at law as copyhold or base customary tenures.

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

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

Estates in copyhold are essentially distinct both in their origin and in their nature from those of freehold estates.

From Legal Lore Curiosities of Law and Lawyers by Various

The tenure is customary freehold, though in some cases described as copyhold, and in the ecclesiastical manor of Bishopston, descent is by borough English.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

The latter, indeed, was essentially changed by the establishment of the law of copyhold.

From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Henry Hallam

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---