I. də̇ˈmān, dēˈ-, -mēn noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, alteration (influenced by Anglo-French demesne, alteration of Old French demaine ) of demeyne, from Old French demaine — more at domain
1.
a. : legal possession of land as one's own — used chiefly in the phrase to hold in demesne
b. obsolete : possession : power , sovereignty
2. Old English law : an estate or land of which the owner was in possession including all an owner's land except that which was held by freehold tenants or sometimes only that actually occupied by the owner
3.
a. : the land attached to a mansion or country house
a celebrated demesne of 400 acres and a Georgian mansion
also : the house and land together
b. : landed property : estate
the cattlemen's noble, unfenced demesne — John McCarten
c. : region in general : territory
the vast demesne that lies to the west
4. : realm, province, or range especially of interests or activity
through the exact demesnes of grammar — W.S.Maugham
II. adjective
: of or belonging to a demesne : demesnial
a high demesne wall