fee tail

noun

1. fee4a

fee tail

noun

1. property law

   1. a freehold interest in land restricted to a particular line of heirs

   2. an estate in land subject to such restriction Compare fee simple

Word History and Origins

Origin of fee tail¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Anglo-French

Word History and Origins

Origin of fee tail¹

C15: from Anglo-French fee tailé fee (or fief) determined, from taillier to cut