demesne

n. [ OE. demeine, demain, rule, demesne, OF. demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine, power, F. domaine domain, fr. L. dominium property, right of ownership, fr. dominus master, proprietor, owner. See Dame, and cf. Demain, Domain, Danger, Dungeon. ] (Law) A lord's chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor's own use. [ Written also demain. ] Wharton's Law Dict. Burrill. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ancient demesne. (Eng. Law) See under Ancient. [ 1913 Webster ]