Estate

n. [O. Fr. estat, N. Fr. état, Pr. estat, stat, Sp. & Pg. estado, It. stato, from Lat. status, from stare, to stand.] 1. The fixed condition of any thing or person; the subjective state; hence, the circumstances under which a thing or person stands; fixedness; condition; rank; state; position; welfare. “Discovering my estate.” Spencer. She cast us headlong from our high estate. Dryden. 2. A property which a person possesses; a fortune; a possession; especially, property in land; also, property of all kinds which a person leaves to be divided at his death; as, a large estate; to settle an estate. See what a vast estate he left his son. Dryden. 3. The state; the general body politic; the commonwealth; hence, the general interest; the business of government. [Obs.] I call matters of estate not only the parts of sovereignty, but whatever concerneth any great portion of the people. Bacon. 4. One of the ranks or classes of men which are considered as constituting the state; as the crown, the lords, or the commons; or the lords, the clergy, and the people. She is a duchess, a great estate. Latimer. God hath improved his authority in several parts upon several estates of men. Bp. Taylor. 5. (Law.) The interest which any one has in lands, tenements, or any other effects; as, an estate for life, for years, at will, &c. Burrill.