De·mise n.
1. Transmission by formal act or conveyance to an heir or successor; transference; especially, the transfer or transmission of the crown or royal authority to a successor.
2. The decease of a royal or princely person; hence, also, the death of any illustrious person.
After the demise of the Queen [of George II.], in 1737, they [drawing- rooms] were held but twice a week. --P. Cunningham.
3. Law The conveyance or transfer of an estate, either in fee for life or for years, most commonly the latter.
Note: ☞ The demise of the crown is a transfer of the crown, royal authority, or kingdom, to a successor. Thus, when Edward IV. was driven from his throne for a few months by the house of Lancaster, this temporary transfer of his dignity was called a demise. Thus the natural death of a king or queen came to be denominated a demise, as by that event the crown is transferred to a successor.
Demise and redemise, a conveyance where there are mutual leases made from one to another of the same land, or something out of it.
Syn: -- Death; decease; departure. See Death.