fee tail
/fiˈteɪl/
noun
- A legal arrangement in which property (especially land) is passed down to a specific line of heirs, usually the direct descendants of the original owner, and cannot be sold or given away outside that line.
- Under fee-tail, the land stayed in the family for generations without being divided.
- The old estate was held in fee-tail, so it could only go to the eldest son.
- The lawyer explained that fee-tail prevented the owner from selling the property to strangers.