Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Domain
Do-main′
,Noun.
1.
Dominion; empire; authority.
2.
The territory over which dominion or authority is exerted; the possessions of a sovereign or commonwealth, or the like. Also used figuratively.
[wns=2]
The
domain
of authentic history. E. Everett.
The
domain
over which the poetic spirit ranges. J. C. Shairp.
3.
Landed property; estate; especially, the land about the mansion house of a lord, and in his immediate occupancy; demesne.
[wns=2]
Shenstone.
4.
(Law)
Ownership of land; an estate or patrimony which one has in his own right; absolute proprietorship; paramount or sovereign ownership.
Public domain
, 1.
the territory belonging to a State or to the general government; public lands.
[U.S.]
– 2.
the situation or status of intellectual property which is not protected by copyright, patent or other restriction on use. Anything
– in the public domain
may be used by anyone without restriction. The effective term of force of copyrights and patents are limited by statute, and after the term expires, the writings and inventions thus protected go into the public domain and are free for use by all. Right of eminent domain
, that superior dominion of the sovereign power over all the property within the state, including that previously granted by itself, which authorizes it to appropriate any part thereof to a necessary public use, reasonable compensation being made.
Webster 1828 Edition
Domain
DOMAIN
,Noun.
1.
Dominion; empire; territory governed, or under the government of a sovereign; as the vast domains of the Russian emperor; the domains of the British king.2.
Possession; estate; as a portion of the kings domains.3.
The land about the mansion house of a lord, and in his immediate occupancy. In this sense, the word coincides with demain, demesne.