Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Demise?

\De*mise"\, n. [F. d['e]mettre, p. p. d['e]mis, d['e]mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d['e]- (L. de or dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send. See {Mission}, and cf. {Dismiss}, {Demit}.] 1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or transmission of the crown or royal authority to a successor. 2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person. After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in 1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a week. --P. Cunningham. 3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter. --Bouvier. Note: The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that event the crown is transferred to a successor. --Blackstone. {Demise and redemise}, a conveyance where there are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or something out of it. Syn: Death; decease; departure. See {Death}.
\De*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demised}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Demising}.] 1. To transfer or transmit by succession or inheritance; to grant or bestow by will; to bequeath. ``Power to demise my lands.'' --Swift. What honor Canst thou demise to any child of mine? --Shak. 2. To convey; to give. [R.] His soul is at his conception demised to him. --Hammond. 3. (Law) To convey, as an estate, by lease; to lease.