mesne

American  

[meen] / min /

adjective

Law.

1. intermediate or intervening.

---

mesne British  

/ miːn /

adjective

1. intermediate or intervening: used esp of any assignment of property before the last

   a mesne assignment

2. rents or profits accruing during the rightful owner's exclusion from his land

---

Etymology

Origin of mesne

1350–1400; Middle English < Anglo-French, spelling variant of meen mean ³

Example Sentences

In 1205 Farnham had bailiffs, and in 1207 it was definitely a mesne borough under the bishops of Winchester.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 2 "Fairbanks, Erastus" to "Fens" by Various

Of this he had apprized Sir Robert, who had persisted, nevertheless, in holding possession, and in his claim for the mesne rents.

From Tales and Novels — Volume 08 by Edgeworth, Maria

There are many stories of this kind, and it was an obvious result of the system of arrest on mesne process.

From The Law and the Poor by Parry, Edward Abbott

The writ is specially endorsed with the plaintiff’s claim to recover the land with or without rent or mesne profits, and summary judgment obtained if no substantial defence is disclosed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 2 "Ehud" to "Electroscope" by Various

Before 1183, Dunster had become a mesne borough, owned by the de Mohuns until the 14th century when it passed to the Luttrells, the present owners.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 8 "Dubner" to "Dyeing" by Various