estates

Noun

estate (plural estates)

1. The collective property and liabilities of someone, especially a deceased person.
2. (archaic) state; condition.
   • But when I came to mans eſtate,
     With hey ho, [the winde and the raine],
     Gainſt Knaues and Theeues men ſhut their gate.c. 1601–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Twelfe Night, or What You Will”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
3. (archaic) Status, rank.
   • God hath imprinted his authority in several parts, upon several estates of men.1651, Jer[emy] Taylor, The Rule and Exercises of Holy Living. […], 2nd edition, London: […] Francis Ashe […], →OCLC
4. (archaic) The condition of one's fortunes; prosperity, possessions.
   • Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Romans 12:16
5. (obsolete) A "person of estate"; a nobleman or noblewoman.
   • And anone came oute of a chamber to hym the fayrest lady that euer he sawe & more rycher bysene than euer he sawe Quene Gueneuer or ony other estat Lo sayd they syre Bors here is the lady vnto whome we owe alle oure seruyse / and I trowe she be the rychest lady and the fayrest of alle the world1485, Sir Thomas Malory, “xj”, in Le Morte Darthur, book XVI
6. (historical) A major social class or order of persons regarded collectively as part of the body politic of the country and formerly possessing distinct political rights (Estates of the realm).
   • I am afraid that some of the nobles who are campaigning for it simply want to use the Estates to cut down the King's power and increase their own.1992, Hilary Mantel, A Place of Greater Safety, Harper Perennial, published 2007, page 115

See all 15 meanings of estate