severalty

[ sev-er-uh l-tee, sev-ruh l- ]

/ ˈsɛv ər əl ti, ˈsɛv rəl- /

noun, plural sev·er·al·ties.

the state of being separate.

Law.

(of an estate, especially land) the condition of being held or owned by separate and individual right.
an estate held or owned by individual right.

Nearby words

sever, severable, several, severalfold, severally, severalty, severance, severance pay, severance tax, severe, severe acute respiratory syndrome

Origin of severalty

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Anglo-French word severalte. See several, -ty²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for severalty

An allotment of land in severalty has been directed to be made, much to the gratification and encouragement of the tribes.
The Indian Question (1874)|Francis A. Walker
Next may come that part of the territory which is not occupied in severalty but used in common.
Villainage in England|Paul Vinogradoff
Lands should be allotted to the Indians in severalty, inalienable for a certain period.
Messages and Papers of Rutherford B. Hayes|James D. Richardson
A portion of their lands seems to have been held in severalty by individuals from a very early period.
Ancient Society|Lewis Henry Morgan

It seems to me, however, that allotments of land in severalty ought to be made with great care and circumspection.
Compilation of the Messages and Papers of the Presidents|Grover Cleveland

British Dictionary definitions for severalty

severalty

/ (ˈsɛvrəltɪ) /

noun plural -ties

the state of being several or separate

(usually preceded by in) property law the tenure of property, esp land, in a person's own right and not jointly with another or others

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012