estovers

• POS: Noun Plural
• HYPHEN: es=to=vers

CIDE DICTIONARY

estovers, n. pl. [OF. estoveir, estovoir, necessary, necessity, need, prop. an infin. meaning to suit, be fit, be necessary. See Stover.].

 Necessaries or supplies; an allowance to a person out of an estate or other thing for support; as of wood to a tenant for life, etc., of sustenance to a man confined for felony out of his estate, or alimony to a woman divorced out of her husband's estate.  Blackstone.  [1913 Webster]

Common of estovers. See under Common, n.

OXFORD DICTIONARY

estovers, n.pl. hist. necessaries allowed by law to a tenant (esp. fuel, or wood for repairs).

Etymology

AF estover, OF estoveir be necessary, f. L est opus