Law Dictionary

tenant

French tenant, holding: Latin tenere, to hold. In its largest sense, any one who holds lands, whatever the nature or extent of his interest. Coles v. Marquand. One who holds lands by any kind of title, whether for years, for life, or in fee. Hosford v. Ballard. Almost all realty is supposed to be holden of some superior lord, in consideration of services to be rendered by the possessor. The thing to be held is styled the tenement, the possessor thereof the tenant, and the manner of possession a tenure, or tenacy.

Source : William C. Anderson, A Dictionary of Law (1893)

Language : English

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