Word Direct Answers

What does "demise" mean?

Demise: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.(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. See Death.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.To convey; to give. [R.] His soul is at his conception demised to him. Hammond.
  4. 5.(Law) To convey, as an estate, be lease; to lease.

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