Demise \De*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Demised; p. pr. & vb. n. Demising.]

1. To transfer or transmit by succession or inheritance; to grant or bestow by will; to bequeath. ``Power to demise my lands.'' --Swift.

What honor Canst thou demise to any child of mine? --Shak.

2. To convey; to give. [R.]

His soul is at his conception demised to him. --Hammond.

3. (Law) To convey, as an estate, by lease; to lease.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Demise \De*mise"\, n. [F. d['e]mettre, p. p. d['e]mis, d['e]mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d['e]- (L. de or dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send. See Mission, and cf. Dismiss, Demit.]

1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or transmission of the crown or royal authority to a successor.

2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person.

After the demise of the Queen [of George II.]

, in 1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a week. --P. Cunningham.

3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter. --Bouvier.

Note: The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that event the crown is transferred to a successor. --Blackstone.

Demise and redemise, a conveyance where there are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or something out of it.

Syn: Death; decease; departure. See Death.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)