Etymograph

English

demesne

Demesne comes from Old French demeine.

  1. Old Frenchc. 842–1400demeine
  2. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400demeyne
  3. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500demayne
  4. Englishearliest quotation 1485demesne

attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed

Lineage

  1. Old Frenchc. 842–1400demeine
  2. Anglo-Normanc. 1066–1400demeyne
  3. Middle Englishc. 1150–1500demayne
  4. Englishearliest quotation 1485demesne

Earliest quotation: 1485, Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur Book XVI: “And whanne he sawe that he lete charce her…”

The story

The spelling with non-etymological s is partly due to influence from mesne and partly for the purpose of indicating a long vowel, as the s quiesced before a consonant; compare aisle, isle, Carlisle.

Linked words

through Middle English demayne

domain

Today it means

noun A lord's chief manor place, with that part of the lands belonging thereto which has not been granted out in tenancy; a house, and the land adjoining, kept for the proprietor's own use.

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / Old French demeine / demesne

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