demesne

Etymology

Developed from Middle English demayne, from Anglo-Norman demeyne, demene and other forms, from Old French demeine, demaine, demeigne, domaine ("power") — which also gave French domaine ("domain"). This was originally an adjective used as a noun, going back to Latin dominicus ("belonging to a lord or master"), from dominus ("master, proprietor, owner"); see dame. It is a doublet of domain. The non-etymological s in the spelling comes partly from the influence of mesne and partly to mark a long vowel, since the s fell silent before a consonant, as also happened in aisle, isle and Carlisle.