Domain \Do*main"\, n. [F. domaine, OF. demaine, L. dominium, property, right of ownership, fr. dominus master, owner. See Dame, and cf Demesne, Dungeon.]

1. Dominion; empire; authority.

2. The territory over which dominion or authority is exerted; the possessions of a sovereign or commonwealth, or the like. Also used figuratively.

The domain of authentic history. --E. Everett.

The domain over which the poetic spirit ranges. --J. C. Shairp.

3. Landed property; estate; especially, the land about the mansion house of a lord, and in his immediate occupancy; demesne. --Shenstone.

4. (Law) Ownership of land; an estate or patrimony which one has in his own right; absolute proprietorship; paramount or sovereign ownership.

Public domain, the territory belonging to a State or to the general government; public lands. [U.S.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)