demise

n. [ F. démettre, p. p. démis, démise, to put away, lay down; pref. dé- (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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person. [ 1913 Webster ]

After the demise of the Queen [ of George II. ], in 1737, they [ drawing- rooms ] were held but twice a week. P. Cunningham. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter. Bouvier. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ 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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]