copyhold: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowHistorical/Legal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “copyhold” mean?
A historical form of land tenure in England where a tenant held land by copy of the manorial court roll.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical form of land tenure in England where a tenant held land by copy of the manorial court roll.
The land or estate held under such tenure; the legal system governing this type of landholding.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is exclusively British in origin and historical context. In American usage, it is only encountered in historical or legal academic texts discussing English land law.
Connotations
In British context, it evokes medieval and early modern land systems. In American context, it is purely a foreign historical term.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, but marginally more likely in British historical writing.
Grammar
How to Use “copyhold” in a Sentence
The estate was held in copyhold.They converted the copyhold to freehold.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “copyhold” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The copyhold system was complex.
- Copyhold estates were recorded meticulously.
American English
- The copyhold system was discussed in the seminar.
- Copyhold tenure differed from freehold.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business.
Academic
Used in historical, legal, and land economy studies discussing pre-20th century English property systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Used precisely in legal history and historical property law to denote a specific feudal tenure type abolished in 1922.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “copyhold”
- Using it to refer to modern copyright or intellectual property.
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to copyhold land' is incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, copyhold tenure was effectively abolished in England and Wales by the Law of Property Act 1922.
The copy of the entry in the manorial court roll, which served as the tenant's evidence of title.
Copyhold was a customary tenure where the tenant held land at the will of the lord according to the manor's custom, whereas freehold is outright ownership with no superior landlord.
Because the tenant's right was evidenced by a 'copy' of the relevant entry in the manor's court roll, made for the tenant.
A historical form of land tenure in England where a tenant held land by copy of the manorial court roll.
Copyhold is usually historical/legal/technical in register.
Copyhold: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒpɪhəʊld/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːpihoʊld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'copy' of a record in the manor 'hold'ing the tenant's rights. The tenant held land by a copy of the court roll.
Conceptual Metaphor
LAND TENURE IS A DOCUMENT (the copy of the court roll embodies the right to hold).
Practice
Quiz
What was 'copyhold'?