释义 |
tanistry Anc. Irish and Gaelic Law.|ˈtænɪstrɪ| Also 6 -istrye, 7 -estry, 7–8 thanistry. [f. tanist + -ry.] A system of life-tenure among the ancient Irish and Gaels, whereby the succession to an estate or dignity was conferred by election upon the ‘eldest and worthiest’ among the surviving kinsmen of the deceased lord.
1596Spenser State Irel. Wks. (Globe) 611/2 All the Irish doe hold theyr landes by Tanistrye. a1604Hanmer Chron. Irel. (1633) 17 The two sonnes were put beside, and the eldest of the sept (after the Irish Tanistrie) tooke place. 1617Moryson Itin. ii. 6 The Irish Law of Tanistry (by which a man is preferred to a boy, and the Vncle to that Nephew whose Grandfather ouerliues the Father, and commonly the most actiue Knaue, not the next Heire, is chosen). 1663Sir R. Gordon Govt. Scotl. in Macfarlane's Geogr. Collect. (S.H.S.) II. 391 The law of Tanistrie wes that a Prince dying and leaving behind him children in minority..the neerest male of the blood royall..tooke the government upon him. 1778Phil. Surv. S. Irel. 396 Him they called Thanist, and the Custom Thanistry. 1827Hallam Const. Hist. (1876) III. xviii. 344 The law of tanistry, of which the principle is defined to be that the demesne lands and dignity of chieftainship descended to the eldest and most worthy of the same blood. 1904Times, Lit. Supp. 22 July 229/1 Despite tanistry..Scotland managed to have real Monarchs when Ireland had none. b. The office of a tanist (= Gael. tanaisteachd).
1813Scott Rokeby iv. vi, Against St. George's cross blazed high The banners of his Tanistry. |