commonage

[ kom-uh-nij ]

noun

1. the joint use of anything, especially a pasture.
2. the state of being held in common.
3. something that is so held, as land.
4. commonalty.

commonage

/ ˈkɒmənɪdʒ /

noun

1. law
   1. the use of something, esp a pasture, in common with others
   2. the right to such use
2. the state of being held in common
3. something held in common, such as land
4. another word for commonalty

Word History and Origins

Origin of commonage¹

First recorded in 1600–10; common + -age

Example Sentences

In the evening we heard that the enemy were at Glen Lennie on their way to Harrismith, and that a patrol had already reached the town commonage.

From Project Gutenberg

The rights of men are liberty and an equal participation in the commonage of nature.”

From Project Gutenberg

His pony was only grazing on the town commonage hard by; he could have him brought in less than half an hour.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the way your forefathers understood the law of commonage, and nobody ever grumbled that his neighbor had a cow or a pig too many!

From Project Gutenberg

The indaba began upon small matters, a recent dispute or two as to the ownership of cattle, or of land commonage, and so forth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cooperative
• kibbutz
• municipality
• village