De*mise" (?), n. [F. d'emettre, p. p. d'emis, d'emise, to put away, lay down; pref. d'e- (L. de or dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send. See Mission, and cf. Dismiss, Demit.]
1. 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.
2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person.
After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in 1737, they [drawing-rooms] were held but twice a week.
P. Cunningham.
3. Law The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
Bouvier.
⇒ The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that event the crown is transferred to a successor.
Blackstone.
Demise and redemise, a conveyance where there are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or something out of it.
Syn. -- Death; decease; departure. See Death.
© Webster 1913.
De*mise", v. t. [imp. & p. p. Demised (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Demising.]
1. To transfer or transmit by succession or inheritance; to grant or bestow by will; to bequeath. "Power to demise my lands."
Swift.
What honor
Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
Shak.
2. To convey; to give. [R.]
His soul is at his conception demised to him.
Hammond.
3. Law To convey, as an estate, be lease; to lease.
© Webster 1913. | 
