severalty

American  

[sev-er-uhl-tee, sev-ruhl-] / ˈsɛv ər əl ti, ˈsɛv rəl- /

noun

• severalties
  plural

1. the state of being separate.

2. Law.

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

   2. an estate held or owned by individual right.

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severalty British  

/ ˈsɛvrəltɪ /

noun

1. the state of being several or separate

2. (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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• severalties
  plural

Etymology

Origin of severalty

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English word from Anglo-French word severalte. See several, -ty ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

severalty

The door to American citizenship has been open to the Indian in general only since the passage of the Dawes severalty act, in 1887.

From The Indian To-day The Past and Future of the First American by Charles Alexander Eastman

An allotment of land in severalty has been directed to be made, much to the gratification and encouragement of the tribes.

From The Indian Question (1874) by Francis Amasa Walker

The colony now began to prosper; men held their lands in severalty, and taxes were low.

From Comic History of the United States by F. Opper

In 1854 the main body in the Indian Territory disbanded their tribal organization and divided their lands in severalty.

From Descriptive Catalogue of Photographs of North American Indians by W. H. Jackson

They have lands allotted to them in severalty, and have made considerable advancement in agriculture and civilization, though they still follow the chase to some extent.

From The Indian Question (1874) by Francis Amasa Walker