fideicommissum

[ fahy-dee-ahy-kuh-mis-uhm ]

noun

, Civil Law.

, plural fi·de·i·com·mis·sa [fahy-dee-ahy-k, uh, -, mis, -, uh].

1. a request by a decedent that the heir or legatee to the estate convey a specified part of the estate to another person, or permit another person to enjoy such a part.

fideicommissum

/ ˌfɪdɪaɪkəˈmɪsəm /

noun

1. civil law a gift of property, usually by will, to be held on behalf of another who cannot receive the gift directly

Word History and Origins

Origin of fideicommissum¹

1720–30; < Late Latin fideī commissum entrusted to faith, equivalent to fideī, dative singular of fidēs faith + commissum, past participle of committere to commit

Word History and Origins

Origin of fideicommissum¹

C18: from Late Latin: (something) bequeathed in trust, from Latin fidēs trust, faith + committere to entrust