muniment

American  

[myoo-nuh-muhnt] / ˈmyu nə mənt /

noun

1. Law. muniments, a document, as a title deed or a charter, by which rights or privileges are defended or maintained.

2. Archaic. a defense or protection.

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muniment British  

/ ˈmjuːnɪmənt /

noun

1. rare a means of defence

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Etymology

Origin of muniment

1375–1425; late Middle English < Medieval Latin mūnīmentum document (e.g., title, deed) for use in defense against a claimant, Latin: defense, protection, originally, fortification, equivalent to mūnī ( re ) to fortify + -mentum -ment

Example Sentences

There was no time to reach the window, for Ziegler passed the branch corridor without as much as looking at it, and was coming straight on to the muniment room.

From The Duke Decides by Hill, Headon

He thought it improbable that, with General Sadgrove in the house and Azimoolah somewhere loose around it, any of the gang would break in unseen, still less that they would reach the muniment room.

From The Duke Decides by Hill, Headon

In the light of Sprot’s real confessions, hitherto lying in the Haddington muniment room, we know the Indictment to be a false and garbled document. 

From James VI and the Gowrie Mystery by Lang, Andrew

In Saxon times the porch served not only as entrance to the church, but also as courthouse and muniment room, where the Kings of Kent did justice and judgment.

From Canterbury by Danks, Canon

The upper, now used as the dean's muniment room, has, like a similar example at Christchurch, Hants, no certain indication of its original use.

From Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Salisbury A Description of its Fabric and a Brief History of the See of Sarum by White, Gleeson