commendam

[ kuh-men-dam ]

noun

, Ecclesiastical.

1. the tenure of a benefice to be held until the appointment of a regular incumbent, the benefice being said to be held in commendam.
2. a benefice so held.

commendam

/ kəˈmɛndæm /

noun

1. the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice
2. a benefice so held

Word History and Origins

Origin of commendam¹

1555–65; < Medieval Latin, short for ( dare ) in commendam (to give) in trust; commendam, accusative singular of commenda, noun derivative of Latin commendāre to commend

Word History and Origins

Origin of commendam¹

C16: from Medieval Latin phrase dare in commendam to give in trust, from commenda trust, back formation from Latin commendāre to entrust, commend

Example Sentences

John Williams, bishop of Lincoln, however, refused to institute Heylyn to this living, owing to his friendship with Laud; and in return Charles appointed him a prebendary of Westminster, where he made himself very objectionable to Williams, who held the deanery in commendam.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1566 he was raised to the bishopric of Bangor; and he held the living of Whitney, in Oxfordshire, in commendam. 

From Project Gutenberg

Whether, or not, it shared the fate of many other Irish monasteries at that time and had no regular Abbot, but one who was called Abbot in commendam, is not known; but the presumption is that it had not a regular Abbot.

From Project Gutenberg

When laymen held the abbeys in commendam they commonly resided in them with their wives, families, retinues, servants, etc., to the distraction and interference with the monks in their regular observances, and finally, to the complete subversion of discipline.

From Project Gutenberg

Commend′am, a manner of holding an ecclesiastical benefice till a proper pastor was provided for it—it was provisionally commended to the care of a clerk, and was said to be held in commendam; Commendā′tion, the act of commending: praise: declaration of esteem: esp. the act of commending the dying or dead to the favour and mercy of God; Com′mendātor, one who holds a benefice in commendam.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg