estate

plural estates

1. The collective property and liabilities of someone, especially a deceased person.First known use 19th c.
2. archaicstate; condition.First known use 13th c.

   But when I came to mans eſtate, With hey ho, [the winde and the raine], Gainſt Knaues and Theeues men ſhut their gate.

   c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i], page 275

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   To remove therfore if it be possible, this great and sad oppression which through the strictnes of a literall interpreting hath invaded and disturb’d the dearest and most peaceable estate of houshold society, to the over-burdening, if not the over-whelming of many Christians better worth then to be so deserted of the Churches considerate care, this position shall be laid down; first proving, then answering what may be objected either from Scripture or light of reason.

   1643, John Milton, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce

3. archaicStatus, rank.First known use 13th c.

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

   1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC

4. archaicThe condition of one's fortunes; prosperity, possessions.First known use 14th c.

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

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Romans 12:16

5. obsoleteA "person of estate"; a nobleman or noblewoman.First known use 14th–17th c.

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

   1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Mark 6:21

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   And anone came oute of a chamber to hym the fayrest lady that euer he sawe & more rycher bysene than euer he sawe Quene Gueneuer or ony other estat Lo sayd they syre Bors here is the lady vnto whome we owe alle oure seruyse / and I trowe she be the rychest lady and the fayrest of alle the world

   1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xj”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVI

6. historicalA major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country and formerly possessing distinct political rights (Estates of the realm).First known use 14th c.

   The three estates of feudal lords, clergy and royal officers met in separate chambers, and exercised an advisory role.

   2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin, published 2012, page 202

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   I am afraid that some of the nobles who are campaigning for it simply want to use the Estates to cut down the King's power and increase their own.

   1992, Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety, Harper Perennial, published 2007, page 115

7. lawThe nature and extent of a person's interest in, or ownership of, land.First known use 15th c.
8. An (especially extensive) area of land, under a single ownership.First known use 18th c.

   It has been a long time since new follies were springing up across the great estates of Britain. But the owners of Doddington Hall, in Lincolnshire, have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor.

   2014 September 7, “Doddington's garden pyramid is a folly good show: The owners of a Lincolnshire stately home have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid [print edition: Great pyramid of Lincolnshire, 6 September 2014, p. G2]”, in The Daily Telegraph, London

9. The landed property owned or controlled by a government or a department of government.
10. UKderogatorysometimesA housing estate.First known use 20th c.

    Professor Loretta Lees from King's College London's geography department says, "The word 'estate' has become synonymous with the term 'ghetto'. It's become a dirty word. Back in the '20s and '30s it didn't carry the same stigma."

    2012 October 19, Josephine McDermott, “London's new housing loses the 'dirty word'”, in BBC News

11. UKabbreviationellipsisautomotiveEllipsis of estate car (“station wagon”).First known use 20th c.

    Synonyms: estate car

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

    I call matter of estate not only the parts of sovereignty, but whatsoever[…]concerneth manifestly any great portion of people.

    1612, Francis Bacon, Of Judicature

13. computingAn organization's collective information technology resources.

    This time, however, it only includes the static parameters that you expect to be consistent across your estate.

    2015, Peter Carter, Pro SQL Server Administration, page 82

1. euphemisticnot comparablejewelryPreviously owned; secondhand.

   an estate diamond; estate jewelry

present singular third person estates · participle present estating · participle past estated · past estated

1. obsoletetransitiveTo give an estate to.
2. obsoletetransitiveTo bestow upon.