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tanistry

American  
[tan-uh-stree, thaw-nuh-] / ˈtæn ə stri, ˈθɔ nə- /

noun

  1. the system among various Celtic tribes of choosing a tanist.


Etymology

Origin of tanistry

First recorded in 1590–1600; tanist + -ry

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

The “joint and undivided family” and the formation of “joint families,” or gilds, was one way of obviating this result; another way was the custom of tanistry.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

On the other side was tribalism, with its tie of original kinship instead of territorial subordination; its tanistry; its Brehon law.

From Irish History and the Irish Question by Smith, Goldwin

The succession to every degree of sovereignty was regulated by the law of tanistry, which limited heredity right to the family but not to the individual....

From The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations by Nuttall, Zelia

The law of succession, called tanaisteacht, or tanistry, is one of the most peculiar of the Brehon laws.

From An Illustrated History of Ireland from AD 400 to 1800 by Cusack, Mary Frances

Freehold and leasehold, primogeniture and entail, took the place of tribal ownership and tanistry.

From Irish History and the Irish Question by Smith, Goldwin

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