Farm

Fearme, Ferm, Firm, (L. Lat, Firma; from Sax. fearme, feorme, food or provisions). In English Law. The rent of land under lease, anciently reserved and paid in provisions, (in eduliis), Spelman, voc.

Spelman; 2 Bl. Comm. 42.

A term; a lease of lands; a leasehold interest.

2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 17; 1 Reeve, Hist. Eng. Law, 301, note; 6 Term R. 532; 2 Chit. PI. 879, note (e).

The land itself, let to farm or rent.

2 Bl. Comm. 368.

It is usually the chief messuage in a village or town whereto belongs great demesne of all sort. Cowell; Cunningham; Termes de la Ley. A large tract or portion of land taken by a lease under a yearly rent payable by the tenant.

Tomlin.s.

From this latter sense is derived its common modern signification of a large tract used for cultivation or other purposes, as raising stock, whether hired or owned by the occupant, including a messuage with outbuildings, gardens, orchard, yard, etc.

Plowd. 195; Touch. 93.

In American or Modern Law. A tract of land devoted, in part at least, to cultivation, without reference to its extent, or to the tenure by which it is held.

132 111. App. 277; 18 Pick. (Mass.) 553; 2 Bin. (Pa.) 238; 47 How. Pr. (N. Y.) 446.