COMMENDAM
Etymology
Noun
commendam (plural commendams)
(religion, obsolete) A vacant benefice commended to a cleric until an incumbent was provided.
Source: Wiktionary
Com*men"dam, n. Etym: [LL. dare in commendam to give into trust.]
(Eng. Eccl. Law)
Definition: 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.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition