severalty

[sev-er-uhl-tee, sev-ruhl-]

noun

plural

severalties 

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.

severalty

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of severalty¹

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

Example Sentences

In 1866, by a special treaty, they received and divided the funds held for their benefit, took lands in severalty, and ceased to be regarded as a tribe.

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Next may come that part of the territory which is not occupied in severalty but used in common.

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But his practice is proof of our impotent severalty.

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It is possible that you will be haunted to-night not only by your Ideas in their severalty, but by your whole system of thought organised as one Synthetic Ghost.

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Many times the Indians do not wish to take their land in severalty.

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