CURTESIES
CURTESY
Cur"te*sy (kr"t-s), n.; pl. Curtesies (-s. Etym: [Either fr.
courlesy, the lands being held as it were by favor; or fr. court (LL.
curtis), the husband being regarded as holding the lands as a vassal
of the court. See Court, Courtesy.] (Law)
Definition: the life estate which a husband has in the lands of his
deceased wife, which by the common law takes effect where he has had
issue by her, born alive, and capable of inheriting the lands. Mozley
& W.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition