Ad*vow"son (?; 277), n. [OE.
avoweisoun, OF. avoëson, fr. L. advocatio. Cf.
Advocation.] (Eng. Law) The right of presenting to a
vacant benefice or living in the church. [Originally, the relation of a
patron (advocatus) or protector of a benefice, and thus privileged
to nominate or present to it.]
☞ The benefices of the Church of England are in every case subjects
of presentation. They are nearly 12,000 in number; the advowson of
more than half of them belongs to private persons, and of the remainder to
the crown, bishops, deans and chapters, universities, and colleges.
Amer. Cyc.