DEFEASANCES

Noun

defeasances

plural of defeasance

Source: Wiktionary

DEFEASANCE

De*fea"sance, n. Etym: [OF. defesance, fr. defesant, F. défaisant, p. pr. of defaire, F. défaire, to undo. See Defeat.]

1. A defeat; an overthrow. [Obs.] After his foes' defeasance. Spenser.

2. A rendering null or void.

3. (Law)

Definition: A condition, relating to a deed, which being performed, the deed is defeated or rendered void; or a collateral deed, made at the same time with a feoffment, or other conveyance, containing conditions, on the performance of which the estate then created may be defeated.

Note: Mortgages were usually made in this manner in former times, but the modern practice is to include the conveyance and the defeasance in the same deed.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition