Forms: 3 aestat, 4–6 astat(e, 4–5 estat, (4 astaat(e, -tait, estaat(e, 6 esstat, estatt, 6–7 Sc. estaite, -tte), 4– estate; pl. 3 astaz, aestaz. Cf. ASTATE and STATE. [a. OF. estat (= Pr. estat, Sp. and Pg. estado, It. stato), ad. L. status STATE, f. stā-re to stand.]
1. State or condition in general, whether material or moral, bodily or mental. In ME. occas.: Constitution, nature. arch.; now almost exclusively in Biblical phrases.
c. 1230. Hali Meid., 13. Þis mihte … i þis deadlich lif scheaweð in hire estat of þe blisse undeadlich.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 1587 (Trin.). Þat god not myȝt Brynge mon … Into þe astate þat he had tynt.
c. 1374. Chaucer, Boeth., V. vi. 171. Lat vs loken now as we mowen whiche þat þe estat is of þe deuyne substance.
1395. E. E. Wills (1882), 4. In hool estat of my body.
1486. Bk. St. Albans, C j a. Sum put hawkys in mew at high estate. Ibid., C iij a. Ye se yowre hawke may not endew her meete nor remounte her astate.
1490. Caxton, Eneydos, xiv. 50. Alle the werkes are taryed and lefte in the astate of inperfection.
1519. Interlude Four Elements, in Hazl., Dodsley, I. 11. Each element I reduce to his first estate.
1549. Thomas (title), The historie of Italie…: Because it intreateth of the astate of many and diuers common weales.
1563. Shute, Archit., D iv a. In Italie are these pillers founde standing in good estate.
1605. Lond. Prodigal, I. i. 224. I hope he died in good estate.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, V. i. § 10. 310. Hee arrives in safety at Carthage, and makes them know the estate of Lilybæum.
1624–47. Bp. Hall, Rem. Wks. (1660), 2. A Physician … enquiring of her estate.
1630. Earl Dorchester, in Ellis, Orig. Lett., II. 268, III. 262. Herselfe [the Queene] (God be thanked) is in good estate.
1662. Bk. Com. Prayer (Pickering, 1844), 56. We pray for the good estate of the Catholick Church.
1676. Grew, Anat. Plants, Lect. ii. (1682), 241. There is some kind of Alkaline Salt in Plants, even in their natural estate.
1794. S. Williams, Vermont, 154. The savages of Northamerica were sunk into the lowest estate of filth and dirtiness.
1844. Kinglake, Eöthen, xxvi. (1878), 341. Their second estate would be worse than their first.
1868. Freeman, Norm. Conq. (1876), II. ix. 402. The wall, in its first estate, seems to have been merely a dyke of earth and rough stones.
1873. Browning, Red Cott. Nt.-cap, 219. I am forty-three years old; In prime of life, perfection of estate.
b. A special state or condition; a condition of existence. Also In estate = in existence. Obs. exc. in Man’s, woman’s estate = manhood, womanhood, and (arch.) in The (holy) estate of matrimony.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 178. Sik mon haueð two swuðe dredfule aestaz: þet on is hwon he ne iveleð nout his owune sicknesse.
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 125. Prol. Fforgetyn hadde the erthe his pore estat O wyntyr.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 374/1. She was in the estate of vyrgynyte, in estate of maryage, in estate of wydowhede.
15[?]. Adam Bel & Clym of Clough, 665, in Ritson, Anc. Pop. Poetry, 30. Whan he commeth to mannes estate.
1541. R. Copland, Galyen’s Terap., 2 C j. The fyrste … doth away the dysease that is present. And the other wtstandeth the dysease that is nat yet in estate.
1594. Hooker, Eccl. Pol., I. xv. In regard of a future estate hereafter necessary to be knowne.
1744. E. Heywood, Female Spectator (1748), II. 23. A gentleman in the western parts of England had two daughters at marriage estate.
† c. In estate [= Fr. en état (de)]: in a position, able (to do something). Obs. rare.
1651. trans. De-las-Coveras’ Don Fenise, 40. She took Felix by the hand, and put him in estate to come to the point of his desires.
† d. Good or normal condition. In his estate: just as he was. Out of estate: ‘out of condition.’
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 4675. Thou Art so anguisshous and mate, Disfigured oute of astate.
1447–8. Shillingford, Lett. (Camd. Soc.), 37. Stondyng yn his astate ayenst the fire.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 104. My belly farys not weylle, it is out of astate.
1578. Lyte, Dodoens, I. lxi. 88. Floures … do not lightly perishe or vade, but may be kept a long time in their estate, & colour.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1351/2. I found the good prince laid in his estate.
† e. ? State of privilege or advantage. Obs.
1628. Wither, Brit. Rememb., II. 119/43 b. Or, knew I not the Christian Mans estate Extended further, then to contemplate.
1633. G. Herbert, Temple, 54. Mans whole estate Amounts (and richly) to serve thee.
† f. An account of the state or condition of anything; a ‘statement’ of particulars. Obs.
1474. Househ. Ord., 22. For the contentement of his household royal and creditors thereof, as is expressed before in the estate of this seyd court for the yere, xiii M0l [i.e., 13,000l.].
1484. Paston Lett., No. 880, III. 311. The seid John requerith an astate to be takyn in those londys lymyted to William the sone for deffaut off issue off Clement Paston.
1502. Arnolde, Chron. (1811), 285. The sayd Cardinal hath yow bounde aparte to make him a sure astate of alle the said landes, by Ester next comyng.
2. Condition with respect to worldly prosperity, fortune, etc. Cf. 12. arch.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 17321 (Cott.). Do hym by kept in presoners estate Till yt be past our sabate.
c. 1386. Chaucer, Knt.’s T., 68. Noon estat [v.r. astate, estaat, estate] assureth to be weel.
1370[?]. Robt. Cicyle, 54. Hym to brynge to lowar estate.
a. 1400. Cov. Myst., 61. A ryght pore man … Of sympyl astat in clothis rent.
1447. Bokenham, Seyntys (Roxb.), 9. In poure astate and in low degre.
a. 1535. More, De quat. Noviss., Wks. 86/1. Yet thou wouldest not greatly enuy his estate, if thou thoughteste [etc.].
1662. Bk. Com. Prayer (Pickering, 1844), 56. Any ways afflicted or distressed in mind, body, or estate.
1671. trans. Frejus’ Voy. Mauritania, 7. Made a slave … and detained in that estate till our arrival.
1846. Keble, Lyra Innoc. (1873), 192. From ox and ass that wait Here on His poor estate.
a. 1862. Buckle, Civiliz. (1869), III. i. 1. One of the greatest nations of the earth, was broken, and cast down from its high estate.
† b. ? Means, ability, opportunity. In phrase, After (one’s) estate. Obs.
c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., II. 409. Þei shulen lyve as þe world axiþ and take gladnesse of þe world aftir her astaat.
c. 1430. Syr Tryam., 469. Every man lovyd hym aftur ther estate.
c. 1510. Virgilius, in Thoms, Prose Rom., 21. Remus toke with hym manye folke after his estate.
1545. Brinklow, Lament. (1874), 88. Thou must be diligent daylye to helpe thyne neyghbour acordinge to thyne estate.
3. Status, standing, position in the world; degree of rank; esp. exalted rank or dignity. Also in phr. man, etc., of estate. arch.
a. 1225. Ancr. R., 160. Ant te eadie Johan in onliche stude, þer ase he was, þeos þreo astaz of-earnede him one.
c. 1340. Cursor M., 6949 (Trin.). His fadris astate he [eliazar] bere Til Iosue we speke of here.
c. 1368. Chaucer, Compl. Pite, 41. Wisdome, estaat, drede and gouernaunce.
1413. Lydg., Pylgr. Sowle, IV. xxix. (1859), 61. Of this statua or ymage it is, that men of hyhe power ben cleped men of estate.
1432. Paston Lett., No. 18, I. 34. Suche persones as for … their estate, owe of reson to be suffred to speke with the king.
c. 1450. Bk. Curtasye, 276, in Babees Bk. Ȝe be bothe of on astate.
1483. Caxton, Gold. Leg., 201/3. I had the estate of a clerke in the chyrche.
c. 1500. Lancelot, 543. So cam ther in an agit knyght, and hee Of gret esstat semyt for to bee.
1531. Elyot, Gov., I. i. 1 b–2. All the inhabitantes of a realme or citie, of what astate or condition so euer they be.
1596. Shaks., Merch. Ven., II. ix. 41. O, that estates, degrees, and offices, Were not deriu’d corruptly.
1611. Bible, Transl. Pref., 1. If any man conceit,… that Princes are priuiledged by their high estate, he is deceiued.
† b. A definite position in life; an occupation. Obs. rare. [A usual sense of Fr. état.]
1685. Petty, Will, p. xi. Those who have been bred to no calling nor estate.
† c. ellipt. = person or persons of estate. Obs. (Cf. similar use of dignity.)
1399. Langl., Rich. Redeles, Prol. 82. Þe story is of non estate þat stryuen with her lustus.
a. 1483. Liber Niger, in Househ. Ord., 32. Knyghts or other wurshypfull astate for the towell.
1509. Fisher, Wks., 144. The crummes that fall vnder the bordes of lordes or grete estates.
1530. Proper Dyaloge (1863), 9. Bothe comones and estates none excepte.
1611. Bible, Mark vi. 21. Herod on his birth day made a supper to his lords, high captaines, and chiefe estates of Galilee.
1634. R. H., Salerne Regim., 88. Let them [eels] be drest with Galendine … as great Estates Cookes are wont to doe.
† 4. Outward display of one’s condition; grandeur, pomp, STATE. Obs. exc. arch. (poet.)
c. 1385. Chaucer, L. G. W., 1034, Dido. This frosche lady … Stod in the temple in hire estat ryal. Ibid. (c. 1386), Sqr.’s T., 18. And kepte alwey so wel roial estat.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 299. He … cast about his eye, And sigh the lordes in estate.
a. 1483. Liber Niger, in Househ. Ord., 19. In the festyvall dayes or when astate should be shewed.
c. 1489. Caxton, Sonnes of Aymon, xxiii. 495. Soo shall I gyve theym landes ynoughe for to mayntene theyr astate.
1870. Morris, Earthly Par., I. I. 384. Thou … by my side shalt sit in such estate That [etc.].
† b. Retinue. Obs.
c. 1500. Melusine, 50. Honourably might a kinge with alle his estate haue be Receyued therat.
c. Cap of estate (Her.): see CAP sb.1 4 f (c). † Chair, cloth, cup, horse, place, robe, throne, etc., of estate = chair, etc., of STATE. Obs.
1423. James I., Kingis Q., xciv. In a cheire of estate besyde … There sawe I sitt the blynde god Cupide.
1555. W. Watreman, Fardle Facions, I. v. D ij b. He [the kinge] put on some robe of estate.
1579. Gosson, Sch. Abuse (Arb.), 33. He … gaue him wine to drink in cups of estate.
1586. Marlowe, 1st Pt. Tamburl., V. ii. Mount up your royal places of estate.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. 62. His imperiall throne of estate.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., IV. 144. Who inthronized himselfe, in the Persian Chayre of Estate, Anno 1030.
1653. H. Cogan, trans. Pinto’s Trav., lx. 246. Covered over head with three cloths of Estate of gold and silver tinsell.
1662. Ogilby, King’s Coronation (1685), 2. The Duke of Albemarle, Master of the Horse, on Horseback, leading a Horse of Estate.
1844. Disraeli, Coningsby, I. iv. There he stood … in his robes of estate.
1864. Boutell, Heraldry Hist. & Pop., xxiv. 413. Ensigned by a cap of estate of very large dimensions.
† d. ellipt. A canopy, chair, dais, fold of ‘state.’ To lay, make (an) estate: to make a fold of the cloth, in token of respect, opposite the king’s seat.
c. 1460. J. Russell, Bk. Nurture, 192, in Babees Bk. Ley estate with the vpper part [of the cloth] þe brede of half fote is greable.
1494. Househ. Ord., 119. On that side make an estate with his rodd; & then goeing before the kinge doeing his reverence, & soe make another estate on the other side of the king.
1513. Bk. Keruynge, in Babees Bk., 268. And laye estat with the vpper parte halfe a fote brode.
1587. Fleming, Contn. Holinshed, III. 1490/1. My lord before the estate of his majestie knighted a Dutch gentleman, called Sir Martin Shinke.
1603. Drayton, Bar. Wars (1630), VI. lv. 142. The Queene … sat vnder an Estate of Lawne.
1605. Journ. Earl Nottingh., in Harl. Misc. (Malh.), II. 560. The two virgins near her, and the other six upon the degrees at the foot of the estate.
1607. Topsell, Four-f. Beasts (1658), 128. Princes … sitting upon their estate.
† 5. A class, order, rank in a community or nation. All estates: all sorts of people. Obs.
1530. Palsgr., Introd., 1. Unto the nobilite … and … unto all other estates of this my natyfe countrey.
1577. Northbrooke, Dicing (1843), 36. Vice raigneth too, too much amongst al estates and degrees.
1590. Recorde, etc. Gr. Artes (1646), 183. This Rule is … profitable for all estates of men.
1594. Shaks., Rich. III., III. vii. 213. We know your tendernesse of heart … to all Estates.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 126. A fit estate there is besides in great request, and namely of Philosophers and Religious.
1643. Milton, Divorce, Introd. (1851), 3. Filling each estate of life and profession, with abject and servil principles.
6. An order or class regarded as part of the body politic, and as such participating in the government either directly or through its representatives.
The number of ‘estates’ in most of the nations of Christendom has usually been three (exceptionally four, as in Sweden and Aragon), but the specific enumeration has varied considerably. In England the ‘estates’ as represented in Parliament were originally 1. Clergy; 2. Barons and Knights; 3. Commons; after various fluctuations, the final arrangement was 1. Lords Spiritual; 2. Lords Temporal; 3. Commons. In France the three estates were 1. Clergy; 2. Nobles; 3. Townsmen. The Scottish estates were at first 1. Prelates; 2. Tenants in Chief; 3. Townsmen; after 1428 they were 1. Lords, lay and clerical; 2. Commissioners of Shires; 3. Burgesses. For a full account of the matter see Stubbs, Const. Hist., xv.
Third Estate was formerly common (now much less so) as a designation of the English ‘commons’ or (transl. Fr. tiers état) the French bourgeoisie before the Revolution. The other two ‘estates’ are seldom spoken of numerically.
[c. 1380. Wyclif, Sel. Wks., III. 184. Þer ben in þe Chirche þre states þat God haþe ordeyned, state of prestis and state of knyȝtis, and þe þridd is staat of comunys.]
1425. Sc. Acts Jas. I. (1597), 7. It is ordaned be the King, be consent and deliuerance of the three Estates, that [etc.].
c. 1460. Fortescue, Abs. & Lim. Mon. (1714), 71–3. The Gabell of the Salte, and the Quaterymes of the Wynys, war granted to the Kyng, by the three Estats of Fraunce.
1489. Caxton, Faytes of A., I. v. 10. He shal assemble to counseil the foure estates of his contree.
1494. Fabyan, VII. 500. The thre astates of his realme, that is to meane the spiritualtie, the lordes and nobles, and the hedes or rulers of cyties.
1547. J. Harrison, Exhort. Scottes, F iij b. This was done in Parliamente, by consente of the thre estates.
16[?]. Proclam. Jas. I., in Examiner, 4 Oct. (1812), 626/2. A sufficient and well composed House, such as may be worthy to be a representative of a third estate of our kingdom.
1681. Nevile, Plato Rediv., 98. Which Deputies are now called the third Estate.
1765. T. Hutchinson, Hist. Col. Mass., iv. 419. Any step towards forming themselves into a church estate.
1794. ‘J. Gifford,’ Reign Louis XVI., 350. The instructions of the clergy coincided with those of the nobility and Third Estate.
1827. Hallam, Const. Hist. (1876), I. ii. 73. The fall of the mitred abbots changed the proportions of the two estates which constitute the upper house of parliament.
1850. Gladstone, Glean. (1879), V. xx. 185. The concessions of the spiritual estate of the realm.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., II. xv. 184. It was not by any means clear, at the end of the reign of Edward I, that they [the smaller landowners] might not furnish a fourth estate of Parliament.
b. pl. An assembly of the governing classes or their representatives. Estates-general (in France): see States-general.
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1621), 1326. The Estates of the vnited Prouinces … resolued to make a league with the Turke.
1628. trans. Camden’s Hist. Eliz., II. (1675), 226. To assault the Estates Camp at Rimenant.
1684. Scanderbeg Rediv., iii. 44. The Estates being Assembled in the Castle of Warsaw.
1827. Scott, Napoleon, Introd. The Estates-General of France met at Versailles on the 5th May, 1789.
1845. Sarah Austin, trans. Ranke’s Hist. Ref., I. 359. The emperor could come to no agreement with the Estates.
1875. Stubbs, Const. Hist., II. xv. 163. An assembly of Estates is an organised collection, made by representation or otherwise, of the several orders, states or conditions of men who are recognised as possessing political power.
¶ 7. The (Three) Estates of the Realm (see 6) has often been misused to denote the three powers whose concurrence is necessary for legislation, viz. the Crown, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons.
Perh. Aylmer (quot. 1559) took the word in sense 8, as he argues that the three forms of government, monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy, are united in the English constitution.
1559. Bp. J. Aylmer, Harb. Faithf. Subjects, H iij. In the parliament hous … you shal find these .3. estats. The King or Quene, which representeth the Monarche. The noble men, which be the Aristocratie. And the Burgesses and Knights the Democratie.
1648. Dk. Ormond, Lett., in Milton, Observ. Art. Peace. The three estates of king, lords, and commons, whereof in all ages parliaments have consisted.
a. 1745. Swift, Lett. (1768), IV. 279. An assembly of the three estates is not properly of Gothick institution.
1769. Lett. Junius, xvii. 75. Not any one, or any two, of the three estates have power to make a new law, without the concurrence of the third.
1819. Syd. Smith, Wks. (1859), I. 282/1. The king, four aristocratical assessors, and the assembly of captains, are the three estates of the Ashantee government.
1887. Pall Mall Gaz., 8 June, 3/2. Mr. Bryce’s accuracy is at fault when he tells us (p. 5) that the Canadian Parliament, ‘like its model in Westminster, is made up of the three estates, the Queen and the two Houses.’
b. The Fourth Estate: (a.) formerly in various jocular applications (see quots.); (b.) now appropriated to the Press.
We have failed to discover confirmation of Carlyle’s statement (quot. 1841) attributing to Burke the use of this phrase in the application now current. A correspondent of Notes & Queries (1st Ser. XI. 452) states that he heard Brougham use it in the House of Commons in 1823 or 1824, and that it was at that time treated as original.
1752. Fielding, Covent-Garden Jrnl., 13 June No. 47, Wks. (1806), X. 80. None of our political writers … take notice of any more than three estates, namely, Kings, Lords, and Commons … passing by in silence that very large and powerful body which form the fourth estate in this community … The Mob. Ibid., 83. Nor hath this estate … been unknown to the other three.
1821. Hazlitt, Table Talk, vi. 115. He [Cobbett] is a kind of fourth estate in the politics of this country.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. VI. v. A Fourth Estate, of Able Editors, springs up. Ibid. (1841), Hero-worship, Lect. v. Burke said there were three Estates in Parliament, but in the Reporters’ Gallery … there sat a fourth Estate more important far than they all.
1854. Knight, Once upon a Time, II. 20. Hackney-chairmen … belonged to what Fielding termed ‘The Fourth Estate.’ That dignity is now assigned to the Press.
1871. Sir H. Lytton Bulwer, Life Palmerston, II. IX. (ed. 3), 119, note. Even at that period the ‘Times’ constituted a fourth estate of the realm.
1885. Harper’s Mag., March, 646/2. A power which calls itself the fourth estate of the realm.
† 8. Political constitution, form of government. [Cf. état 8 in Littré.] Obs.
1559. [see 7].
1603. Knolles, Hist. Turkes (1610), 76. The whole estate of that great empire … was almost vtterly subuerted.
1614. Raleigh, Hist. World, II. xxiii. § 6. 578. Alcamenes gouerned Sparta: after whome, the Estate changed, according to Eusebius. [Often in Raleigh.]
1670. Milton, Hist. Eng., V. (1851), 190. When God hath decreed servitude on a sinful Nation, fitted by their own vices for no condition but servile, all Estates of Government are alike unable to avoid it.
† 9. Administration of government; in phrases, Affairs, etc., of estate, Secretary of Estate. Obs. Now STATE.
1599. Hakluyt, Voy., II. 175. Our Secretarie of estate.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. ii. C 1 b–C 2. Such Popes … proceed vpon truer principles of Estate, than those which haue ascended to the Papacie from an education & breeding in affaires of Estate, and Courts of Princes.
1651. Reliq. Wotton., 360. The Cavalier Vieta, his principal Secretary of Estate.
1679. Everard, Prot. Princes Europe, 36. That which … did happen upon this Error of Estate to the Imperial House of Austria.
† 10. A body politic, a kingdom or commonwealth; = STATE. Obs.
1605. Bacon, Adv. Learn., I. vii. 33. I 2. Then should people and estates be happie, when either Kings were Philosophers, or Philosophers Kings.
1750. Beawes, Lex Mercat. (1752), 7. The Merchants which trafficked in the interior Parts of their Estates.
11. Law. The interest that any one has in lands, tenements, or any other effects; often with qualifying words or phrases, as an estale upon condition, in fee, for life, of inheritance, tail from year to year, at will, etc. Real estate, an interest in landed property; Personal estate, an interest in movables; but the phrases are often regarded as signifying the respective kinds of property. See also FEE, TAIL, etc.
1439. E. E. Wills (1882), 119. They that haue … estate in my land to the execucion of this my last will.
c. 1462. Paston Lett., No. 461, II. 114. Your seid besecher had non astate in the seid maners.
1592. W. West, Symbol., B iiij § 39. An Estate … is that right and power whereby we haue the propertie or possessions of things.
1650. Bury Wills (1850), 226. My brother Butts Bacon, whom I haue intrusted with the estate of the house or cottage in which the said Norton now liveth.
1756. W. Toldervy, Hist. Two Orphans, IV. 265. The good gentleman at the Abbey, who has left you his real estate.
1793. Smeaton, Edystone L., § 75. Her estate in the Lighthouse was only for life.
1818. Cruise, Digest (ed. 2), I. 70. All inferior estates and interests in land are derived out of the fee simple.
1845. Polson, Eng. Law, in Encycl. Metrop., II. 829/1. An estate from year to year may arise … from that general letting heretofore held to constitute an estate at will.
1876. Digby, Real Prop., i. 43. The tenant is conceived as having only an estate in the lands—an interest which … was something short of absolute ownership.
† b. To make an estate of (a thing) to (a person): to give an interest in, a legal right or title to. Obs.
1415. E. E. Wills (1882), 25. I wolle that my feoffes mak estat to … my sone, of Thattely and Farley.
1520. Sir R. Elyot, Will, in Elyot’s Gov. (1883), I. App. 314. To make astate in fee to two other discrete persones.
1588. Wills & Inv. N. C. (1860), II. 256, note. Whereas I haue made an estatt unto Robert Selbye … of my tenement or burgage.
1621. Bolton, Stat. Irel., 400 (Act 28 Eliz). The rebels … did make … secret and fraudulent estates and conveyances of their lands.
a. 1626. Bacon, Max. & Uses Com. Law (1636), 56. But where a man maketh an estate of his land to others, by Fine, Feofment, or Recovery.
12. Property, possessions, fortune, capital. Cf. 2. arch. in gen. sense.
1563. Homilies, II. Agst. Wilful Rebell., II. (1859), 565. Hazarding the whole estate of our Country.
1596. Shaks., Merch. V., I. i. 43. Nor is my whole estate Vpon the fortune of this present yeere.
1627–77. Feltham, Resolves, I. xxxi. 54. What do we, but like foolish merchants, venture all our estate in a bottom?
1644. Evelyn, Mem. (1857), I. 90. The marchands … have … little or no extent of ground to employ their estates in.
c. 1665. Mrs. Hutchinson, Mem. Col. Hutchinson, 14. The large estate he reaped by his happy industry.
1690. Locke, Govt., I. iv. § 42. ’Twould always be a Sin in any Man of Estate, to let his Brother perish.
1697. Potter, Antiq. Greece, III. xviii. (1715), 142. It was frequent for Men of Estates to rig out Ships at their own Expence.
1730. Young, Ep. to Pope, I. Wks. 1757, I. 183 (R.).
| One loses his estate, and down he sits, | |
| To shew (in vain!) he still retains his wits. |
1762. J. Brown, Poetry & Mus., viii. (1763), 161. The Bards had estates settled on them, that they might be free from worldly Cares.
1847. Emerson, Repr. Men, Napoleon, Wks. (Bohn), I. 381. France served him with life, and limb, and estate.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 308. The greatest estates in the kingdom then very little exceeded twenty thousand a year.
1878. ‘Ouida,’ Friendship, I. vii. 116. Though of such knightly descent, they were very poor, and of no great estate.
b. Accounts. The collective assets and liabilities of a person (esp. of a deceased person, a bankrupt, a cestui que trust) viewed as an entity capable of owing or being entitled to money, of being solvent or insolvent. Phrase, To wind up an estate. (By accountants often used in somewhat wider sense: The ‘affairs’ of a client so far as the accountant is concerned with them.)
Possibly this sense may be historically connected with 1 f, a ‘ledger account’ being spoken of in bookkeeping as a creditor or debtor; but evidence is wanting.
1830. McCulloch, Princ. Pol. Economy (ed. 2), 268. The bankrupt is entitled to a reasonable allowance out of his effects…. If his estate pay 10s. in the pound, he is to be allowed 5 per cent.
Mod. Newspaper. It takes 10% of the assets of a fifty-pound estate to pay for the Board of Trade stamps.
13. A landed property; usually, one of considerable extent. (Now the commonest sense.)
1760–72. trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy. (ed. 3), I. VI. 311. When the wind blows from that quarter the weather is so sharp, that the rich families … retire to their estates, situated in a warmer air.
1772. Ann. Reg., 177/2. Her Ladyship had 10,000l. left her by her father, and an estate of 7000l. per annum.
1784. Cowper, Task, III. 755. Estates are landscapes, gazed upon awhile, Then advertised, and auctioneered away.
1794. Mrs. Radcliffe, Myst. Udolpho, I. i. 4. And retired to a small estate in Gascony.
1847. G. P. R. James, J. Marston Hall, x. He intended to send some one to his estates in Brittany.
1848. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., I. 151. The public charges can no longer be borne by the estates of the crown.
1855. Tennyson, Maud, I. I. v. Lord of the broad estate and the Hall.
