enfeoff

en·feoff

 (ĕn-fēf′, -fĕf′)

tr.v. en·feoffed, en·feoff·ing, en·feoffs

To invest with a feudal estate or fee.

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[Middle English enfeffen, from Anglo-Norman enfeoffer : Old French en-, causative pref.; see en-¹ + Old French fief, fief; see fee.]

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en·feoff′ment n.

enfeoff

(ɪnˈfiːf)

vb (tr)

1. (Law) property law to invest (a person) with possession of a freehold estate in land

2. (Historical Terms) (in feudal society) to take (someone) into vassalage by giving a fee or fief in return for certain services

[C14: from Anglo-French enfeoffer; see fief]

enˈfeoffment n

en•feoff

(ɛnˈfɛf, -ˈfif)

v.t.

to invest with a freehold estate in land.

[1350–1400; Middle English enfe(o)ffen < Anglo-French enfe(o)ffer=en- en-¹ + Old French fiefer, fiever, derivative of fief fief]

en•feoff′ment, n.

enfeoff

Past participle: enfeoffed
Gerund: enfeoffing

Imperative

enfeoff

enfeoff

Thesaurus

Verb

1.

enfeoff - put in possession of land in exchange for a pledge of service, in feudal society; "He enfeoffed his son-in-law with a large estate in Scotland" give - transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody; "I gave her my money"; "can you give me lessons?"; "She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care"