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Definition of "demesne" [de•mesne]

  • Law Possession and use of one's own land. (noun)
  • Manorial land retained for the private use of a feudal lord. (noun)
  • The grounds belonging to a mansion or country house. (noun)
  • An extensive piece of landed property; an estate. (noun)
  • A district; a territory. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "demesne" in a sentence
  • "Larry Downing/Reuters Madeline P. Gallard, 13, of Victoria, British Columbia, reacted after mis-spelling her word -- "demesne" -- during competition Wednesday."
  • "Wade's house is well situated on a rising ground, and the demesne is a pretty one."
  • "In the demesne are the ruins of Cappacross, a stronghold of the O'Sullivans."
Words like "demesne"