tanistry

American  

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

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of tanistry

First recorded in 1590–1600; tanist + -ry

Example Sentences

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 customs of "gavelkinde" and "tanistry" were attended with the same absurdity in the distribution of property.

From The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part D. From Elizabeth to James I. by Hume, David

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

From Irish History and the Irish Question by Smith, Goldwin

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

It is known that it existed previous to the conversion of Ireland to Christianity, and that the laws of tanistry and of gavelkind, the customs of gossipred and of fostering, were of pagan origin.

From Irish Race in the Past and the Present by Thebaud, Augustus J.