Word Definition

Estate

  1. The degree, quality, nature, and extent of one's interest in, or ownership of, lands, tenements, etc.; as, an estate for life, for years, at will, etc.
  2. To establish.
  3. A property which a person possesses; a fortune; possessions, esp. property in land; also, property of all kinds which a person leaves to be divided at his death.
  4. A person of high rank.
  5. Social standing or rank; quality; dignity.
  6. To endow with an estate.
  7. Tom settle as a fortune.
  8. Settled condition or form of existence; state; condition or circumstances of life or of any person; situation.
  9. The great classes or orders of a community or state (as the clergy, the nobility, and the commonalty of England) or their representatives who administer the government; as, the estates of the realm (England), which are (1) the lords spiritual, (2) the lords temporal, (3) the commons.
  10. The state; the general body politic; the common-wealth; the general interest; state affairs.