severalty

noun

sev·​er·​al·​ty ˈsev-rəl-tē How to pronounce severalty (audio)
ˈse-və-
1
: the quality or state of being several : distinctness, separateness
2
a
: a sole, separate, and exclusive possession, dominion, or ownership : one's own right without a joint interest in any other person
tenants in severalty
b
: the quality or state of being individual or particular
3
a
: land owned in severalty
b
: the quality or state of being held in severalty

Word History

Etymology

Middle English severalte, from Anglo-French severalté, from several

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of severalty was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near severalty

Cite this Entry

“Severalty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/severalty. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

severalty

noun
sev·​er·​al·​ty ˈse-vrəl-tē, ˈse-və-rəl- How to pronounce severalty (audio)
1
: sole, separate, and exclusive ownership : one's own right without a joint interest in another person
agrees to assign the lease, or some portion of it (in common or in severalty) to another operatorPacific Enterprises Oil Co. v. Pacific Petroleum Corp., 614 So. 2d 409 (1993)
held the estate in severalty
2
: the quality or state of being individual, particular, or several
Etymology

Anglo-French severalté separation, individual ownership, from several separate, several

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