demesne
/dɪˈmeɪn/ (bre, ipa) · /dɪˈmeɪn/ (ame, ipa) · /di-ˈmān -ˈmēn/ (ame, mw)
demesne — 名詞
- demesnesingular
- demesnesplural
1. in medieval England, the part of a lord's estate that the lord farmed directly f
領主自耕地
中世紀領主自己經營的莊園土地
in medieval England, the part of a lord's estate that the lord farmed directly for personal profit, rather than letting tenants work it in exchange for rent or labour.
The villagers were required to plough the lord's demesne three days every week.
村民每週必須為領主的自耕地耕作三天。
historical context: lord's demesne worked by villagers
Felix walked across the old demesne where his ancestors had once grown wheat for the manor.
Felix 走過那片古老的領主自耕地，他的祖先曾在這裡為莊園種小麥。
Records from 1340 show that the abbey's demesne covered nearly four hundred acres of farmland.
1340 年的紀錄顯示，這座修道院的自耕地占地將近四百英畝農田。
Imani's history class studied how peasants worked the demesne in return for a small piece of their own land.
Imani 的歷史課研究農民如何耕作領主的自耕地，以換取一小塊自己的土地。
用法筆記
Almost exclusively appears in historical writing about medieval feudal England. Often paired with possessor (the lord's, the abbey's, the king's).
2. a large piece of land, usually in the countryside, that belongs to and is used b
私人莊園
鄉間富有人家的大片土地與宅邸
a large piece of land, usually in the countryside, that belongs to and is used by one wealthy owner — typically including a grand house, gardens, woodland, and farmland.
The dukes had kept this Yorkshire demesne in the family for over four hundred years.
公爵家族在約克郡保有這座私人莊園已超過四百年。
collocation: keep / retain a demesne in the family
Rania spent the summer painting the lakes and gardens of her grandmother's demesne in County Galway.
Rania 整個夏天都在畫她祖母位於戈爾韋郡那座莊園的湖泊與花園。
The new heir inherited a vast demesne of forests, farms, and a sixteenth-century stone hall.
這位新繼承人接收了一座包含森林、農地和一棟十六世紀石造大宅的廣闊莊園。
Visitors may walk the marked footpaths but must not stray onto the private demesne beyond the lake.
訪客可以走標示出的步道，但不得越過湖邊進入私人莊園。
用法筆記
Subject is usually a noble family, single wealthy heir, or institution. Distinguish from sense 1 by lack of explicit feudal framing — sense 2 is about modern or recent private ownership of country land.
3. a particular activity, place, or subject that one person treats as their own are
掌管領域
某人視為自己地盤的活動或地方
a particular activity, place, or subject that one person treats as their own area to run or decide about — usually said with a touch of humour or irony.
The hospital kitchen was firmly Christopher's demesne, and no one moved a single pot without asking.
醫院廚房完全是 Christopher 的地盤，沒人沒問過就動任何一只鍋子。
metaphorical: someone's demesne = area they control
Marketing is the manager's demesne; the rest of the team should not change the slogan without her approval.
行銷是經理掌管的領域，團隊其他人沒經她同意不該更動標語。
Ilan treated the school newspaper as his private demesne and decided every headline himself.
Ilan 把學校報社當成自己的地盤，每個標題都由他親自決定。
Wedding planning quickly became the bride's mother's demesne, and the couple gave up arguing about flowers.
婚禮籌備很快就成了新娘母親的地盤，這對新人放棄為花的事爭辯。
用法筆記
Often carries a mildly ironic or amused tone — the speaker notes that one person guards the area as if it were their personal property. Usually possessive: someone's demesne.
4. a broad stretch of country, often described in literary writing — emphasising sc
遼闊地域
文學筆下強調氣勢的廣闊大地
a broad stretch of country, often described in literary writing — emphasising scale and atmosphere rather than legal ownership.
The poem describes the wild northern demesne of moors, lakes, and dark forests stretching toward the sea.
這首詩描繪了北方那片由荒原、湖泊與幽暗森林一路延伸到海邊的蒼茫地域。
literary context: wild / vast demesne of [landscape]
Sana hiked for three days through a frozen demesne of pine trees and silent mountain passes.
Sana 徒步走了三天，穿越一片由松林與寂靜山口構成的冰封地域。
The travellers crossed a sunlit demesne of olive groves before reaching the coastal villages.
旅人穿越一片陽光下的橄欖樹園地域，才抵達沿岸的村莊。
Bao described Patagonia as a vast demesne of glaciers, sharp peaks, and rivers carrying ice toward the sea.
Bao 形容巴塔哥尼亞是一片由冰川、險峻山峰和載著浮冰入海的河流所構成的遼闊地域。
用法筆記
Almost only found in literary or travel prose. Distinguish from sense 2 by lack of an owner — sense 4 just names a large landscape, not someone's property.