noun
or com·mand·ry -d(ə)rē, -ri
( -es )
Etymology: Middle French commanderie, from Medieval Latin commendaria, from commenda benefice (from commendare to commend) + -aria -ary — more at commend
1. : the office or rank of a commander — now used only of orders of knighthood
2.
a.
(1) : a district or a manor with lands and tenements appertaining thereto under the control of a commander of a religious military order of knights : preceptory
(2) : a pension or benefice attached to a commandership of an order of knighthood
b. : a conventual priory of a religious order
c. : the house of a medieval commandery
3. : an assembly or lodge in certain secret orders (as the Knights Templars)
4. : a district under the administration of a commander or governor