Alodial

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. A category of land tenure characterized by sovereign ownership that does not rely on any feudal system or obligations
2. A type of property relation signifying total ownership free from any claim of a superior party or lord
3. Land ownership that is absolute and not subject to obligations under feudal law

Etymology: "Alodial" is an alternative spelling of "allodial," an adjective meaning held outright, free of any obligation to a superior. The word passed into English from Middle French "allodial," which itself came from the Latin "allodialis," meaning "held in freehold," derived from "allodium." The key to the meaning lies in the contrast it was built to express. Under feudal systems, most land was held in exchange for service or rent owed to a lord, and the lord ultimately held title. Land held "allodially" answered to no one above its owner. The sense of freedom from obligation is therefore the original and central one, not a later extension.