seisin

American  

[see-zin] / ˈsi zɪn /

Sometimes seizin

noun

Law.

1. (originally) possession of either land or chattel.

2. the kind of possession or right to possession characteristic of estates of freehold.

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seisin British  

/ ˈsiːzɪn /

noun

1. property law feudal possession of an estate in land

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Etymology

Origin of seisin

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French saisine, equivalent to sais(ir) “to take, seize” + -ine noun suffix; see origin at seize, -in(e) ²

Example Sentences

You know the old saying, 'Short signing, long seisin?

From Historical Romances: Under the Red Robe, Count Hannibal, A Gentleman of France by Weyman, Stanley J.

I could tell you of the siesta of the new Prometheus, when, perched on the Mount Caucasus of a bleak chain-cable, he gave himself postprandially, in full livery of seisin, to the vulturous sun.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 14, No. 85, November, 1864 by Various

The English seneschal surrendered the six castles and the seisin of the land.

From The History of England From the Accession of Henry III. to the Death of Edward III. (1216-1377) by Hunt, William

It was allowed that a bargain and sale for a term, say, of one year, must transfer the seisin to the bargainee without enrolment.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 3 "Convention" to "Copyright" by Various

Gilles, nevertheless, took primer seisin and was content.

From The Life and Death of Richard Yea-and-Nay by Hewlett, Maurice Henry