Word Study
inhabitancy
CIDE DICTIONARY
inhabitancy, n.
- The act of inhabiting, or the state of being inhabited; the condition of an inhabitant; residence; occupancy. [1913 Webster]"Ruins yet resting in the wild moors testify a former inhabitance." [1913 Webster]
- The state of having legal right to claim the privileges of a recognized inhabitant; especially, the right to support in case of poverty, acquired by residence in a town; habitancy. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
inhabitancy, n. (also inhabitance) residence as an inhabitant, esp. during a specified period so as to acquire rights etc.
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