What does "demesne" mean?
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.
Demesne
/dɪˈmeɪn/ noun
noun ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: 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.
- Grammar: demesne is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: domain, estate, acres, acres.
- Useful contrasts: leasehold, tenancy.
- Usage evidence: And whanne he sawe that he lete charce her oute of this land and bytoke hit me and alle this land in my demenys And when he saw that, he let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all this land in my demesnes.
How to use "demesne"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "demesne" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "demesne" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "demesne" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "demesne" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "demesne" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "domain" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "demesne", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 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.
"And whanne he sawe that he lete charce her oute of this land and bytoke hit me and alle this land in my demenys And when he saw that, he let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all this land in my demesnes."
- 2 territory over which rule or control is exercised wordnet
- 3 A region or area; a domain.
"Oft of one wide expanse had I been told / That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne; […]"
- 4 extensive landed property (especially in the country) retained by the owner for their own use wordnet
Example
"And whanne he sawe that he lete charce her oute of this land and bytoke hit me and alle this land in my demenys And when he saw that, he let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all this land in my demesnes."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "demesne"?
Common synonyms include: domain, estate, acres, acres, ambit, arable land.
How do you use "demesne" in a sentence?
And whanne he sawe that he lete charce her oute of this land and bytoke hit me and alle this land in my demenys And when he saw that, he let chase her out of this land, and betook it me, and all this land in my demesnes.
How do you pronounce "demesne"?
Pronounced /dɪˈmeɪn/.
Etymology
From Middle English demayne, from Anglo-Norman demeyne, demene et al., Old French demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine (“power”) (whence French domaine (“domain”)), a noun use of an adjective, from Latin dominicus (“belonging to a lord or master”), from dominus (“master, proprietor, owner”). See dame. Doublet of domain. The spelling with non-etymological s is partly due to influence from mesne and partly for the purpose of indicating a long vowel, as the s quiesced before a consonant; compare aisle, isle, Carlisle.