† ˈesnecy Obs.
[ad. med.L. æsnecia, latinized form of OF. ainsneece (mod.Fr. aînesse) position of elder brother or sister, ad. med.L. *antenātitia, f. antenātus one born before another, f. ante before + nātus born.]
‘A private prerogative allowed to the eldest coparcener, where an estate is descended to daughters for want of an heir male, to choose first after the inheritance is divided’ (Wharton).
| 1607 in J. Cowell Interpr. 1641 in Termes de la Ley 144. 1721 in Bailey. 1823 in Crabbe Techniol. Dict.; and in mod. Dicts. |