emphyteusis

noun

em·phy·teu·sis

ˌem(p)fəˈtüsə̇s,

-fə‧ˈtyü-

plural emphyteuses

-üˌsēz

: a Roman and civil law contract by which a grant is made of a right either perpetual or for a long period to the possession and enjoyment of originally agricultural land subject to the keeping of the land in cultivation or from depreciation, the payment of a fixed annual rent, and some other conditions

also : the heritable and alienable right so granted or the tenure by which it is held

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Late Greek, from Greek emphyteuein to implant (from em- en- entry 2 + phyteuein to plant, from phyton plant) + -sis

First Known Use

circa 1618, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of emphyteusis was circa 1618

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Emphyteusis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/emphyteusis. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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