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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 hold 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; 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.

Acknowledgment money, in some parts of England, a sum paid by copyhold tenants, on the death of their landlords, as an acknowledgment of their new lords.

From Project Gutenberg

The development of copyhold belongs to the later period, copyhold being mostly a rent-paying servile tenure.

From Project Gutenberg

It is also termed privileged copyhold or copyhold of frank tenure.

From Project Gutenberg

Nominee, nom-in-ē′, n. one who is nominated by another: one on whose life an annuity or lease depends: one to whom the holder of a copyhold estate surrenders his interest.

From Project Gutenberg

This document was sealed with red wax, and endorsed:—“Sentence on a hog, executed by justice, brought into the copyhold of Clermont, and strangled on a gibbet at Avin.”

From Project Gutenberg