terre tenant

noun

ˈter-, ˈtər-
: one in actual possession of land
specifically : one who purchases land after a lien of mortgage or judgment has attached
used chiefly in the law of Pennsylvania

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French terre tenaunt freeholder, from Old French terre land + tenant holding, from present participle of tenir to hold

Dictionary Entries Near terre tenant

Cite this Entry

“Terre tenant.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/terre%20tenant. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!