WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : De*mise"
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. d?mettre, p. p. d?mis, d?mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d?- (L. de or dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send. See Mission, and cf. Dismiss, Demit.]
Definition : 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)

Defn: 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.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : De*mise"
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : 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)

Defn: To convey, as an estate, be lease; to lease.

t. [imp. & p. p. Demised; p. pr. & vb. n. Demising.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913