TANISTRY

Etymology

Noun

tanistry (usually uncountable, plural tanistries)

(historical) A form of tenure, in ancient Scotland and Ireland, whereby succession was passed to an elected member of the same extended family.

Source: Wiktionary


Tan"ist*ry, n. Etym: [See Tanist.]

Definition: In Ireland, a tenure of family lands by which the proprietor had only a life estate, to which he was admitted by election.

Note: 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.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

25 June 2025

DETENTION

(noun) a state of being confined (usually for a short time); “his detention was politically motivated”; “the prisoner is on hold”; “he is in the custody of police”


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Coffee Trivia

Espresso is both a coffee beverage and a brewing method that originated in Italy. When making an espresso, a small amount of nearly boiling water under pressure forces through finely-ground coffee beans. It has more caffeine per unit volume than most coffee beverages. Its smaller serving size will take three shots to equal a mug of standard brewed coffee.

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