— demesnial , adj.
/di mayn", -meen"/ , n.
1. possession of land as one's own: land held in demesne.
2. an estate or part of an estate occupied and controlled by, and worked for the exclusive use of, the owner.
3. land belonging to and adjoining a manor house; estate.
4. the dominion or territory of a sovereign or state; domain.
5. a district; region.
[ 1250-1300; ME demeine demesne, OF demein; see DOMAIN ]