Etymology

eminent domain

Today it means: The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in preparation for a major construction project such as a freeway. Full definition →

New Latin dominium ēminēns
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The story

  1. New Latin · calque ofdominium ēminēns
  2. English todayeminent domain

Calque of New Latin dominium ēminēns (literally “supreme ownership”).

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.