demise n : the time when something ends; "it was the death of all his plans"; "a dying of old hopes" [syn: death, dying] [ant: birth]

English

Etymology

• From Latin demissa, feminine singular past participle of demittere, apparently via démise, feminine singular past participle of démettre.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈmaɪz/

Noun

1. The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
2. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or transmission of the crown or royal authority to a successor.
3. Death.

Related terms

• demission
• demit

Translations

Demise is an Anglo-French legal term (from French démettre, from Latin dimittere, to send away) for a transfer of an estate, especially by lease. The word has an operative effect in a lease implying a covenant "for quiet enjoyment".

The phrase "demise of the crown" is used in English law to signify the immediate transfer of the sovereignty, with all its attributes and prerogatives, to the successor without any interregnum in accordance with the maxim "the king never dies". At common law the death of the sovereign eo facto dissolved Parliament, but this was abolished by the Representation of the People Act 1867, 51. Similarly the common law doctrine that all offices held under the crown determined at its demise has been negatived by the Demise of the Crown Act 1901. "Demise" is thus often used loosely for death or decease.

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