curtilage

[ kur-tl-ij ]

noun

, Law.

1. the area of land occupied by a dwelling and its yard and outbuildings, actually enclosed or considered as enclosed.

curtilage

/ ˈkɜːtɪlɪdʒ /

noun

1. the enclosed area of land adjacent to a dwelling house

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtilage¹

1250–1300; Middle English courtelage < Anglo-French; Old French cortillage, equivalent to cortil yard ( cort court + -il diminutive suffix) + -age -age

Word History and Origins

Origin of curtilage¹

C14: from Old French cortillage, from cortil a little yard, from cort court

Example Sentences

In the most crowded parishes the houses had no sufficient curtilage, standing as they did in alleys and courts.

From Project Gutenberg

They had been seen prowling about the curtilage of the ale-house the night before.

From Project Gutenberg

Lincoln laid off his curtilage on a gentle hillock having a slope on every side.

From Project Gutenberg

He shall also have the curtilage with the garden adjoining the hall on the north side enclosed as it is with hedges and ditches.

From Project Gutenberg

The house-lot or family curtilage at first devolved strictly within the limits of the family.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• street