Es*tate" (?), n. [OF. estat, F. 'etat, L. status, fr. stare to stand. See [Stand], and cf. [State].]

1.

Settled condition or form of existence; state; condition or circumstances of life or of any person; situation.

"When I came to man's estate."

Shak.

Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Romans xii. 16.

2.

Social standing or rank; quality; dignity.

God hath imprinted his authority in several parts, upon several estates of men. Jer. Taylor.

3.

A person of high rank.

[Obs.]

She's a duchess, a great estate. Latimer.

Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee. Mark vi. 21.

4.

A property which a person possesses; a fortune; possessions, esp. property in land; also, property of all kinds which a person leaves to be divided at his death.

See what a vast estate he left his son. Dryden.

5.

The state; the general body politic; the common-wealth; the general interest; state affairs.

[Obs.]

I call matters of estate not only the parts of sovereignty, but whatsoever . . . concerneth manifestly any great portion of people. Bacon.

6. pl.

The great classes or orders of a community or state (as the clergy, the nobility, and the commonalty of England) or their representatives who administer the government; as, the estates of the realm (England), which are (1) the lords spiritual, (2) the lords temporal, (3) the commons.

7. [Law]

The degree, quality, nature, and extent of one's interest in, or ownership of, lands, tenements, etc.; as, an estate for life, for years, at will, etc.

Abbott.

[The fourth estate], a name often given to the public press.

© [Webster 1913].

Es*tate", v. t.

1.

To establish.

[Obs.]

Beau. & Fl.

2.

Tom settle as a fortune.

[Archaic]

Shak.

3.

To endow with an estate.

[Archaic]

Then would I . . . Estate them with large land and territory. Tennyson.

© [Webster 1913].

estate (definition)