Domain

[L. Lat. domanium, demanium.] Ownership of land, (fundi proprietas.) Spelman. Immediate or absolute ownership; paramount or ultimate ownership. The inherent sovereign power claimed by the legislature of a state, of controlling private property for public uses, is termed the right of eminent domain.

2 Kent's Com. 339.

An estate or patrimony which one has in his own right, (quod quis proprio suo jure possidet.) Spelman. Land of which one is the absolute owner. The public lands of a state are frequently termed the public domain, or domain of the state.

1 Kent's Com. 166, 259. 2 Id. 339, note.