1 demesne | Definition of demesne
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demesne

noun
de·​mesne | \ di-ˈmān How to pronounce demesne (audio) , -ˈmēn How to pronounce demesne (audio) \

Definition of demesne

1 : legal possession of land as one's own
2 : manorial land actually possessed by the lord and not held by tenants
3a : the land attached to a mansion
b : landed property : estate
c : region sense 2, territory
4 : realm sense 2, domain
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about demesne

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Synonyms for demesne

Synonyms

area, field, region, zone

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Did You Know?

Why isn't "demesne" pronounced the way it's spelled? Our word actually began as "demayn" or "demeyn" in the 14th century, when it was borrowed from Anglo-French property law. At that time, the Anglo-French form was "demeine." Later, the Anglo-French spelling changed to "demesne," perhaps by association with another term from Anglo-French property law: mesne, meaning "intermediate." ("Mesne" has entered English as a legal term as well.) According to rules of French pronunciation, the "s" was silent and the vowel was long. English speakers eventually followed suit, adopting the "demesne" spelling. Our word domain (which overlaps with the meaning of "demesne" in some applications) also comes from Anglo-French demeine.

Examples of demesne in a Sentence

the vast and frozen demesne of the northern tundra the view that the issue is not in the demesne of the courts and is something that should be decided by the state legislature

Recent Examples on the Web

 Still, enough of the original grounds remain as part of Biltmore’s grandeur as to suggest, even today, a demesne with a castle at its center. — Stuart Ferguson, WSJ, "A Carolina Xanadu," 29 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'demesne.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of demesne

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for demesne

Middle English, from Anglo-French demesne, demeine — more at domain

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More from Merriam-Webster on demesne

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with demesne

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for demesne

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about demesne

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