Tenure - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Tenure :  (noun)
1: the term during which some position is held [syn: term of office, incumbency]
2: the right to hold property; part of an ancient hierarchical system of holding lands [syn: land tenure] (verb)

1: give life-time employment to; "She was tenured after she published her book"

Based on WordNet 2.0

Tenure : \Ten"ure\, n. [F. tenure, OF. teneure, fr. F. tenir to hold. See Tenable.] 1. The act or right of holding, as property, especially real estate.

That the tenure of estates might rest on equity, the Indian title to lands was in all cases to be quieted. --Bancroft.

2. (Eng. Law) The manner of holding lands and tenements of a superior.

Note: Tenure is inseparable from the idea of property in land, according to the theory of the English law; and this idea of tenure pervades, to a considerable extent, the law of real property in the United States, where the title to land is essentially allodial, and almost all lands are held in fee simple, not of a superior, but the whole right and title to the property being vested in the owner. Tenure, in general, then, is the particular manner of holding real estate, as by exclusive title or ownership, by fee simple, by fee tail, by courtesy, in dower, by copyhold, by lease, at will, etc.

3. The consideration, condition, or service which the occupier of land gives to his lord or superior for the use of his land.

4. Manner of holding, in general; as, in absolute governments, men hold their rights by a precarious tenure.

All that seems thine own, Held by the tenure of his will alone. --Cowper.

Tenure by fee alms. (Law) See Frankalmoigne.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary

TENURE, estates. The manner in which lands or tenements are holden. 2. According to the English law, all lands are held mediately or immediately from the king, as lord paramount and supreme proprietor of all the lands in the kingdom. Co. Litt. 1 b, 65 a; 2 Bl. Com. 105. 3. The idea of tenure; pervades, to a considerable degree, the law of real property in the several states; the title to land is essentially allodial, and every tenant in fee simple has an absolute and perfect title, yet in technical language, his estate is called an estate in fee simple, and theTenure : free and common socage. 3 Kent, Com. 289, 290. In the states formed out of the North Western Territory, it seems that the doctrine of tenures is not in force, and that real estate is owned by an absolute and allodial title. This is owing to the wise provisions on this subject contained in the celebrated ordinance of 1787. Am. Jur. No. 21, p. 94, 5. In New York, 1 Rev. St. 718; Pennsylvania, 5 Rawle, R. 112; Connecticut, 1 Rev. L. 348 and Michigan, Mich. L. 393, feudal tenures have been abolished, and lands are held by allodial titles. South Carolina has adopted the statute, 12 C. II., c. 24, which established in England the tenure of free and common socage. 1 Brev. Dig. 136. Vide Wright on Tenures; Bro. h.t.; Treatises of Feuds and Tenures by Knight's service; 20 Vin Ab. 201; Com. Dig. h.t.; Bac. Ab. h. Thom. Co. Litt. Index, h.t.; Sulliv. Lect. Index, h.t.

Based on Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Example Usage of Tenure

owen_s: @heroin_e AAB was pretty bad during his mercifully brief but painfully mediocre Tenure in office, I don't know what you're talking about.
just4airlines: EasyJet chief quits after turbulent Tenure. http://tinyurl.com/yeglf5q
babylonjourney: @mattstevensloop Again. HAHA. Balls. How long will this Tenure last I wonder....
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