Appurtenance

/əˈpɜːtənəns/ noun

Definition

Something that belongs to or is attached to something more important; an accessory or minor part that goes with a main thing.

Etymology

From Old French 'appertenance,' derived from 'appertenir' meaning 'to belong to,' from Latin 'ad-' and 'pertinere.' The word entered English legal vocabulary in the 14th century.

Kelly Says

In property law, 'appurtenance' became essential because it settled questions like 'does the barn come with the house?'—one word that prevented centuries of legal disputes over what 'belongs' to what.

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