tanistry

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From tanist +‎ -ry.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

tanistry (usually uncountable, plural tanistries)

  1. (historical) A form of tenure, in ancient Scotland and Ireland, whereby succession was passed to an elected member of the same extended family.
    • 2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin, published 2012, page 50:
      They also have to make allowance, in place of primogeniture, for the practice of tanistry, that is, the naming of a successor who was not necessarily the ruler's son.
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