eminent domain

== English == === Etymology === Calque of New Latin dominium ēminēns (literally “supreme ownership”). === Noun === eminent domain (uncountable) (property law) (US, Philippines) The right of a government over the private property within its jurisdiction. Usually invoked to compel land owners to sell their property in preparation for a major construction project such as a freeway. (historical) In feudalism, the legal interest or rights of a lord or superior in an estate in land held in fee, as opposed to the vassal's or tenant's interest. ==== Usage notes ==== Eminent is frequently confused with immanent, immanant, and emanate, which are homophones and near-rhymes in many accents, leading to pseudowords like “immanent domain”. ==== Synonyms ==== compulsory purchase (UK, Ireland, New Zealand), compulsory acquisition (Australia), expropriation (Canada, South Africa) superiority (Scots law) ==== Antonyms ==== (feudal law): utile domain, inferiority (Scots law) ==== Translations ====