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Webster 1913 Edition

Tanistry

Tan′ist-ry

,
Noun.
[See
Tanist
.]
In Ireland, a tenure of family lands by which the proprietor had only a life estate, to which he was admitted by election.
☞ The primitive intention seems to have been that the inheritance should descend to the oldest or most worthy of the blood and name of the deceased. This was, in reality, giving it to the strongest; and the practice often occasioned bloody feuds in families, for which reason it was abolished under James I.

Webster 1828 Edition

Tanistry

TAN'ISTRY

,
Noun.
In Ireland, a tenure of lands by which the proprietor had only a life estate, and to this he was admitted by election. The primitive intention seems to have been that the inheritance should descend to the oldest or most worthy of the blood and name of the deceased. This was in reality giving it to the strongest, and the practice often occasioned bloody wars in families.

Definition 2024

tanistry

tanistry

English

Noun

tanistry ‎(uncountable)

  1. (historical) A form of tenure, in ancient Scotland and Ireland, whereby succession was passed to an elected member of the same extended family.
    • 2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin 2012, p. 50:
      They also have to make allowance, in place of primogeniture, for the practice of tanistry, that is, the naming of a successor who was not necessarily the ruler's son.

Etymology

From tanist +‎ -ry.

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈtæ.nɪ.stɹi/

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