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Webster 1913 Edition
Commendam
Com-men′dam
,Noun.
[LL. dare in
commendam
to give into trust.] (Eng. Eccl. Law)
A vacant living or benefice commended to a cleric (usually a bishop) who enjoyed the revenue until a pastor was provided. A living so held was said to be held in commendam. The practice was abolished by law in 1836.
There was [formerly] some sense for
commendams
. Selden.
Partnership in commendam
. See under
Partnership
.Webster 1828 Edition
Commendam
COMMENDAM
,Noun.
The trust or administration of the revenues of a benefice given to a layman, to hold as a deposit for six months in order to repairs, &c., or to an ecclesiastic, to perform the pastoral duties, till the benefice is provided with a regular incumbent.