estate

Etymology

From Middle English estat, from Anglo-Norman estat and Old French estat (French: état), from Latin status. Doublet of state and status.

noun

1. The collective property and liabilities of someone, especially a deceased person.
2. (now rare, archaic) state; condition.
   To remove therfore if it be possible, this great and sad oppression which through the strictnes of a literall interpreting hath invaded and disturb’d the dearest and most peaceable estate of houshold society, to the over-burdening, if not the over-whelming of many Christians better worth then to be so deserted of the Churches considerate care, this position shall be laid down; first proving, then answering what may be objected either from Scripture or light of reason. 1643, John Milton, Doctrine and Discipline of Divorce
3. (archaic) Status, rank.
4. (archaic) The condition of one's fortunes; prosperity, possessions.
5. (obsolete) A "person of estate"; a nobleman or noblewoman.
6. (historical) A major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country and formerly possessing distinct political rights (Estates of the realm).
   I am afraid that some of the nobles who are campaigning for it simply want to use the Estates to cut down the King's power and increase their own. 1992, Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety, Harper Perennial, published 2007, page 115
   The three estates of feudal lords, clergy and royal officers met in separate chambers, and exercised an advisory role. 2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin, published 2012, page 202
7. (law) The nature and extent of a person's interest in, or ownership of, land.
8. An (especially extensive) area of land, under a single ownership.
   It has been a long time since new follies were springing up across the great estates of Britain. But the owners of Doddington Hall, in Lincolnshire, have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid in the grounds of the Elizabethan manor. 7 September 2014, “Doddington's garden pyramid is a folly good show: The owners of a Lincolnshire stately home have brought the folly into the 21st century, by building a 30ft pyramid [print edition: Great pyramid of Lincolnshire, 6 September 2014, p. G2]”, in The Daily Telegraph, London
9. The landed property owned or controlled by a government or a department of government.
10. (UK, sometimes derogatory) A housing estate.
    Professor Loretta Lees from King's College London's geography department says, "The word 'estate' has become synonymous with the term 'ghetto'. It's become a dirty word. Back in the '20s and '30s it didn't carry the same stigma." 2012-10-19, Josephine McDermott, “London's new housing loses the 'dirty word'”, in BBC News
11. (UK, automotive) A station wagon; a car with a tailgate (or liftgate) and storage space to the rear of the seating which is coterminous with the passenger compartment (and often extensible into that compartment via folding or removable seating).
12. (obsolete) The state; the general body politic; the common-wealth; the general interest; state affairs.
    I call matter of estate not only the parts of sovereignty, but whatsoever[…]concerneth manifestly any great portion of people. 1612, Francis Bacon, Of Judicature
13. (computing) An organization's collective information technology resources.
    This time, however, it only includes the static parameters that you expect to be consistent across your estate. 2015, Peter Carter, Pro SQL Server Administration, page 82

adj

1. (jewelry, euphemistic) Previously owned; secondhand.
   an estate diamond; estate jewelry

verb

1. (obsolete, transitive) To give an estate to.
2. (obsolete, transitive) To bestow upon.