\De*mise"\, n. [F. d['e]mettre, p. p. d['e]mis,
d['e]mise, to put away, lay down; pref. d['e]- (L. de or
dis-) + mettre to put, place, lay, fr. L. mittere to send.
See {Mission}, and cf. {Dismiss}, {Demit}.]
1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or
   successor; transference; especially, the transfer or
   transmission of the crown or royal authority to a
   successor.
2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also,
   the death of any illustrious person.
         After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in
         1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a
         week.                                 --P.
                                               Cunningham.
3. (Law) The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in
   fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
   --Bouvier.
Note: The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown,
      royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when
      Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months
      by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of
      his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death
      of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as
      by that event the crown is transferred to a successor.
      --Blackstone.
{Demise and redemise}, a conveyance where there are mutual
   leases made from one to another of the same land, or
   something out of it.
Syn: Death; decease; departure. See {Death}.

\De*mise"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Demised}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Demising}.]
1. To transfer or transmit by succession or inheritance; to
   grant or bestow by will; to bequeath. ``Power to demise my
   lands.'' --Swift.
         What honor Canst thou demise to any child of mine?
                                               --Shak.
2. To convey; to give. [R.]
         His soul is at his conception demised to him.
                                               --Hammond.
3. (Law) To convey, as an estate, by lease; to lease.