The Collaborative International Dictionary
Demise \De*mise"\, n. [F. d['e]mettre, p. p. d['e]mis, d['e]mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d['e]- (L. de or dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send. See Mission, and cf. Dismiss, Demit.]
Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or transmission of the crown or royal authority to a successor.
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The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person.
After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in 1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a week.
--P. Cunningham. -
(Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
--Bouvier.Note: The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that event the crown is transferred to a successor.
--Blackstone.Demise and redemise, a conveyance where there are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or something out of it.
Syn: Death; decease; departure. See Death.