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Q&A Demise — How did "dismiss, put away" semantically shift to mean 🡲 a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease?

What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)? This semantic shift befuddles me, because — Humans "dismiss, put away"...

1 answer  ·  posted 1y ago by PSTH‭  ·  edited 1y ago by PSTH‭

#5: Post edited by user avatar PSTH‭ · 2022-07-24T02:24:55Z (over 1 year ago)
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, because
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods. In the first diagram below, see Property 🢂 personal property 🡺 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession.
  • No native English speaker would say that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ### Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, because
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods. In the first diagram below, see Property 🢂 personal property 🡺 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession.
  • No native English speaker would say that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • >### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
#4: Post edited by user avatar PSTH‭ · 2022-07-18T03:18:27Z (over 1 year ago)
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods. In the first diagram below, see Property 🢂 personal property 🡺 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession.
  • I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ## Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ## My research on etymology
  • >### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, because
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods. In the first diagram below, see Property 🢂 personal property 🡺 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession.
  • No native English speaker would say that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ### Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
#3: Post edited by user avatar PSTH‭ · 2022-07-18T02:25:02Z (over 1 year ago)
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🡺 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • Demise — How did "dismiss, put away" semantically shift to mean 🡲 a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease?
  • How does "dismiss, put away" 🡲 semantically appertain to a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods (see Property 🡲 personal property 🡲 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession). See diagram below.
  • I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ## Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ## My research on etymology
  • >### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
  • What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🢂 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods. In the first diagram below, see Property 🢂 personal property 🡺 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession.
  • I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ## Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ## My research on etymology
  • >### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
#2: Post edited by user avatar PSTH‭ · 2022-07-18T02:09:40Z (over 1 year ago)
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • >## [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
  • How does "dismiss, put away" 🡲 semantically appertain to a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods (see Property 🡲 personal property 🡲 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession). See diagram below.
  • I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • How does "dismiss, put away" 🡲 semantically appertain to a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease?
  • This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.
  • 1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation.
  • 2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods (see Property 🡲 personal property 🡲 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession). See diagram below.
  • I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!
  • [Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).
  • ![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)
  • ![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)
  • ## Definition from law textbook published in England
  • >DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
  • a lease.
  • Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.
  • ## My research on etymology
  • >### [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
  • >
  • >mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French
  • from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),
  • from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)
  • \+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
  • >
  • >Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."
#1: Initial revision by user avatar PSTH‭ · 2022-07-18T01:44:21Z (over 1 year ago)
What semantic notions underlie "dismiss, put away" (desmetre) 🡺 with transferring property or granting a lease (demise)? 

>DEMISE: A transfer, usually by the grant of
a lease.

Antonia Layard, _Thompson's Modern Land Law_ (8 edn, 2022, OUP), page 543.


>## [demise (n.) ](https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=demise) [on Etymonline]
>
>mid-15c., "transference of property, grant of land for life or a period of years," via Anglo-French     
from Old French _demis_, fem. past participle of _desmetre_ "dismiss, put away" (Modern French _démettre_),    
from _des-_"away" (from Latin _dis-_)    
\+ _metre_ "put,"[]() from Latin _mittere_ "let go, send" (see [mission](https://www.etymonline.com/word/mission?ref=etymonline_crossreference)).
>
>Originally especially "a conveyance of an estate by will or lease," then "transfer of sovereignty," as by the death or deposing of a king (1540s). The sense was transferred to "death" (as the occasion of such a transfer) by 1754, at first especially the death of a sovereign or other important person, but also as a euphemism for "death."

How does "dismiss, put away" 🡲 semantically appertain to a transfer of property, or the grant of a lease? 

This semantic shift befuddles me, for these reasons.

1. Humans "dismiss, put away" merely physical objects that they dislike. "dismiss, put away" has a negative connotation. 

2. "dismiss, put away" refers to tangible goods (see Property 🡲 personal property 🡲 chattels personal 🡲 choses in possession). See diagram below.

I have never stumbled on any native English speaker saying that they "dismiss, put away" real estate!

[Top picture](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/html?lang=de). [Bottom picture](https://www.slideshare.net/lldcd/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show).

![](https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/ijld-2016-0001/asset/graphic/ijld-2016-0001_unfigure1.jpg)

![](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/definitionsofpropertybslideshow-110922221702-phpapp01/95/definitions-of-property-b-slide-show-4-728.jpg?cb=1316729918)