demesne

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "demesne" is usable in written English and is well written.
It is typically used in historical or legal contexts to refer to land that is owned and occupied by a lord or a landowner. Example: "The lord's demesne included vast fields and forests that were tended by his serfs."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

The company found that its attempts were frustrated not just by its head of manufacturing (who feared it would lead to most of his demesne, including his job, being outsourced), but also by the head of marketing, who did not want to upset his existing retail outlets.

The Economist

The Franks forcibly settled the region from the early 6th century ad, and in the early 8th century the Merovingian dynasty claimed it as a royal demesne (crown land).

Encyclopedia Britannica

A new alternative was to lease the demesne to paid managers or sharecroppers, but this practice spread more slowly in France than in neighbouring countries.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The burgeoning viticultures of Burgundy and Gascony proved incompatible with traditional demesne lordship and encouraged sharecropping and peasant initiative.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The death in 1271 of Alphonse of Poitiers and his wife, heiress of Toulouse, enabled Philip early in his reign to annex their vast holdings to the royal demesne.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Beginning with Conrad II, the Salian kings used ministeriales to administer their demesne, as household officers at court, and as garrisons for their castles.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1086 the town included various ecclesiastical fees (tributes) but was otherwise a royal demesne (feudal holding).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

After the dissolution of the monasteries (1536 39), its demesnes were granted to Sir Richard Cromwell, ancestor of Oliver Cromwell.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Whether lords had demesnes and servile tenants or not, the association between landlordship and power remained close.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Reich, too, possessed demesnes in the east, notably the Egerland, Vogtland, and Pleissnerland in the Thuringian march.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Having bought off the Welfs, reconciled other great families with yet more concessions, and lastly endowed his own cousin, Conrad III's son Frederick, with Hohenstaufen demesnes in Swabia, he had to try to mobilize their goodwill toward the empire while it lasted.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about historical or feudal contexts, use "demesne" to specifically denote land held directly by a lord and not granted to tenants.

Common error

Avoid using "demesne" as a general term for any estate; reserve it for contexts where the land is directly controlled and managed by the lord or owner, without intermediary tenants.

Linguistic Context

"Demesne" primarily functions as a noun, denoting the portion of land belonging to a lord or manor that is not leased out to tenants but is retained for the lord's own use and occupation. Ludwig examples show its use in historical contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

42%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "demesne" is a noun that refers to land owned and directly managed by a lord, as opposed to land leased to tenants. According to Ludwig and Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and used correctly in authoritative sources, mostly from encyclopedias and news media. While alternatives like "estate" or "domain" exist, "demesne" is most appropriate in historical or legal contexts where specific land tenure is discussed. When using "demesne", ensure it accurately describes land under direct control, rather than a general property. Remember that although the word is technically correct, it's most common and appropriate in encyclopedic and news media outlets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

estate

Focuses on the property and its associated assets or holdings.

domain

Emphasizes the area of control or influence, rather than physical property.

landed property

Highlights the aspect of land ownership, specifying it as a form of property.

territory

Refers to a defined area or region, often with connotations of borders and jurisdiction.

realm

Implies a kingdom or a sphere of influence, suggesting a more powerful control.

holding

Stresses the aspect of possession, particularly in a legal or feudal context.

manor

Specifically refers to a historical estate, often including a main house and surrounding lands.

grounds

Emphasizes the land surrounding a building, especially if well-maintained or landscaped.

property

A general term for something owned, which can include land and buildings.

land

Simply denotes the area of earth owned by someone, without necessarily implying a grand estate.

FAQs

How can I use "demesne" in a sentence?

You can use "demesne" to refer to land held directly by a lord or estate owner, for example: "The king's royal demesne included several vast forests and hunting grounds."

What's a good alternative to "demesne"?

Depending on the context, you could use "estate", "domain", or "property" as alternatives to "demesne".

Is "demesne" the same as "domain"?

While both words can refer to an area of control, "demesne" typically refers specifically to land owned and managed by a lord, whereas "domain" is a broader term that can refer to any area of control or influence.

How did the term "demesne" originate?

The term "demesne" has its roots in feudal land tenure, referring to the part of a manor that was retained for the lord's own use and direct control.