the temporary holding of an ecclesiastical benefice
2.
a benefice so held
Word origin
C16: from Medieval Latin phrase dare in commendam to give in trust, from commenda trust, back formation from Latin commendāre to entrust, commend
commendam in American English
(kəˈmɛnˌdæm)
noun Obsolete
1.
the temporary holding of a benefice, with the right to its revenues, by a cleric or layman in the absence of a proper incumbent: he was said to hold the benefice in commendam
2.
a benefice held in this way
Word origin
< ML dare in commendam, to give in trust: see commandery