demesne

[ dih-meyn, -meen ]
/ dɪˈmeɪn, -ˈmin /

noun

possession of land as one's own: land held in demesne.
an estate or part of an estate occupied and controlled by, and worked for the exclusive use of, the owner.
land belonging to and adjoining a manor house; estate.
the dominion or territory of a sovereign or state; domain.
a district; region.

Origin of demesne

1250–1300; Middle English demeine < Anglo-French demesne, Old French demein; see domain

OTHER WORDS FROM demesne

de·mesn·i·al, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for demesne

British Dictionary definitions for demesne

demesne
/ (dɪˈmeɪn, -ˈmiːn) /

noun

land, esp surrounding a house or manor, retained by the owner for his own use
property law the possession and use of one's own property or land
the territory ruled by a state or a sovereign; realm; domain
a region or district; domain

Word Origin for demesne

C14: from Old French demeine; see domain