demise
Americannoun
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death or decease.
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termination of existence or operation.
the demise of the empire.
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Law.
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a death or decease occasioning the transfer of an estate.
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a conveyance or transfer of an estate.
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Government. transfer of sovereignty, as by the death or deposition of the sovereign.
verb (used with object)
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Law. to transfer (an estate or the like) for a limited time; lease.
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Government. to transfer (sovereignty), as by the death or abdication of the sovereign.
verb (used without object)
noun
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failure or termination
the demise of one's hopes
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a euphemistic or formal word for death
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property law
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a transfer of an estate by lease
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the passing or transfer of an estate on the death of the owner
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the immediate transfer of sovereignty to a successor upon the death, abdication, etc, of a ruler (esp in the phrase demise of the crown )
verb
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to transfer or be transferred by inheritance, will, or succession
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(tr) property law to transfer (an estate, etc) for a limited period; lease
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(tr) to transfer (sovereignty, a title, etc) by or as if by the death, deposition, etc, of a ruler
Other Word Forms
- demisability noun
- demisable adjective
- nondemise noun
- undemised adjective
Etymology
Origin of demise
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English demise, dimis(s)e, from Old French demis, past participle of desmetre, from Latin dīmittere “to send away, dismiss”; dismiss
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei brought a sense of disbelief to a nation divided over his legacy, as loyal supporters gathered in mourning and opponents celebrated his demise.
But the BBC has verified videos showing groups of people celebrating the reports of his demise on the streets of Tehran and Karaj.
From BBC
He said that the industry in Pakistan has been struggling, suffering a "semi-gradual kind of demise" over the past 20 years or so.
From Barron's
Bickering or disinterested siblings and cousins often contribute to the demise of family associations with other famous companies.
Her opponents say her demise has nothing to do with that and everything to do with performance.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
