Legal Definitions - dominus

Definition: Dominus is a Latin word that means "lord". It has several meanings:

1. In Roman law, it refers to the owner of a thing or inheritance.
2. In Roman law, it was also the title of the emperor in the later empire.
3. In history, it refers to a feudal superior or lord, such as dominus rex ("the lord of the king"), dominus capitalis ("a chief lord"), dominus medius ("an intermediate lord"), and dominus ligius ("a liege lord").
4. In ecclesiastical law, it is a title of distinction usually given to a knight, a clergyman, a lord of a manor, or another gentleman of quality.
5. In civil law, it refers to someone who possesses something by right.

Examples:

• In Roman law, if someone inherited a piece of land, they would be called the dominus of that land.
• During the Roman Empire, the emperor was referred to as dominus because he was the ruler of the entire empire.
• In medieval times, a lord who owned a large piece of land and had vassals who owed him loyalty and service was called a dominus.
• In the Catholic Church, a priest who has been given the title of monsignor is addressed as dominus.
• If someone owns a car, they are the dominus of that car.

These examples illustrate how dominus can refer to ownership, rulership, and titles of distinction.