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Demesne

a lords chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor's own use.

alternative forms: demain] ancient demesne.

see ancient.

Origin: oe. Demeine, demain, rule, demesne, OF. Demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine, power, f. Domaine domain, fr. L. Dominium property, right of ownership, fr. Dominus master, proprietor, owner. See dame, and cf. DEmain, domain, danger, dungeon.