De*mesne" (?), n. [OE. demeine,
demain, rule, demesne, OF. demeine, demaine,
demeigne, domaine, power, F. domaine domain, fr.
L. dominium property, right of ownership, fr. dominus
master, proprietor, owner. See Dame, and cf. Demain,
Domain, Danger, Dungeon.] (Law) A
lord's chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging
thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the
land adjoining, kept for the proprietor's own use. [Written
also demain.] Wharton's Law Dict. Burrill.
Ancient demesne. (Eng. Law) See under
Ancient.