Law. Also 5–6 tere-, 6–7 terr-, 6–8 ter-. [a. AF. terra tenaunt ‘holding land,’ f. terre land + tenaunt TENANT.] One who has the actual possession of land; the occupant of land.
[1308–9. Rolls of Parlt., I. 275/2. Les heirs, & les terres tennauntz Gregorie de Rokesleye.] Ibid. (1439), V. 9/1. The said Feoffes, her Heirs, Executours and Teretenauntz.
1511–2. Act 3 Hen. VIII., c. 23. Preamble, Processe made … ayenst theim … their heires executours or teretenauntes.
1601–2. Fulbecke, 1st Pt. Parall., 14. All the terre tenants of the village haue caried away their corn & hay except one man onely.
1607. in Cowell, Interpr.
1702. Lett. fr. Soldier to Ho. Com., 19. They chusing rather to rely on the Oaths of the Tertenants and a View of the Lands.
1766. Blackstone, Comm., II. vi. 91. These mesne or middle lords, who were the immediate superiors of the terre-terant, or him who occupied the land.
1818. Hallam, Mid. Ages (1841), I. ii. 151. The terre tenants in villenage, who occur in our old books, were not villeins.
