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A holding, or a mode of holding, an estate; tenure; the temporary possession of what belongs to another.

One who holds or possesses lands, or other real estate, by any kind of right, whether in fee simple, in common, in severalty, for life, for years, or at will; also, one who has the occupation or temporary possession of lands or tenements the title of which is in another; -- correlative to landlord. See Citation from Bl…

The act or right of holding, as property, especially real estate. That the tenure of estates might rest on equity, the Indian title to lands was in all cases to be quieted. Bancroft.

The limitation of an estate; or rather, the whole time for which an estate is granted, as for the term of a life or lives, or for a term of years.

One who has an estate for a term of years or for life.

The state or circumstance of being testate, or of leaving a valid will, or testament, at death.

uthentic instrument in writing, by which a person declares his will as to disposal of his estate and effects after his death.

e of three equal parts into which anything is divided; as, the third part of a day. Third estate. (a) In England, the commons, or the commonalty, who are represented in Parliament by the House of Commons. (b) In France, the tiers état. See Tiers état. Third order (R. C. Ch.), an order attached to a monastic order, and…

To posper by industry, economy, and good management of property; to increase in goods and estate; as, a farmer thrives by good husbandry. Diligence and humility is the way to thrive in the riches of the understanding, as well as in gold. I. Watts.

The third estate, or commonalty, in France, answering to the commons in Great Britain; -- so called in distinction from, and as inferior to, the nobles and clergy.

he foundation of ownership of property, real or personal; a right; as, a good title to an estate, or an imperfect title.

An estate devised or granted in confidence that the devisee or grantee shall convey it, or dispose of the profits, at the will, or for the benefit, of another; an estate held for the use of another; a confidence respecting property reposed in one person, who is termed the trustee, for the benefit of another, who is cal…

To commit (property) to the care of a trustee; as, to trustee an estate.

Incapable of being aided. "Her unaidable estate." Shak.

Free from any temporary estate or interest, or from mortgage, or other charge or debt; as, an estate unincumbered with dower.

The peculiar characteristics of an estate held by several in joint tenancy.

Not valued; not appraised; hence, not considered; disregarded; valueless; as, an unvalued estate. "Unvalued persons." Shak.

ng of lands. He to whose use or benefit the trust is intended shall enjoy the profits. An estate is granted and limited to A for the use of B.

The right of using and enjoying the profits of an estate or other thing belonging to another, without impairing the substance. Burrill.

Abandoned; having no heir, possessor, claimant, or occupier; as, a vacant estate. Bouvier. Vacant succession (Law), one that is claimed by no person, or where all the heirs are unknown, or where all the known heirs to it have renounced it. Burrill.