life tenant
- noun
- /laɪf ˈtɛnənt/
- Formal
:
usufructuario
- Upon the death of the life tenant, the ownership of the estate passes to the named heirs.
Examples
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The rights of a life tenant differ significantly from those of a full property owner.
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The life tenant can live in the house until they pass away.
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The life tenant is responsible for maintaining the property during her lifetime.
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Many life tenants are unaware of their rights.
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The life tenant can enjoy the property for as long as they live, but cannot sell it.
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Upon the passing of the life tenant, the property will be inherited by the designated beneficiaries.
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A life tenant is entitled to use the premises but must ensure it is kept in good condition throughout their life.
Synonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
The components 'life' and 'tenant' transparently suggest a tenant whose right to occupy lasts for their lifetime, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the general idea of a long‑term or lifetime tenancy. However, because it is a specialized legal term with specific conditions and nuances (e.g. duration tied to a life interest or another person's life) that go beyond the literal parts, the precise legal meaning is not fully predictable without exposure.
Etymology
Life tenant comes from the simple image of a person who lives in a house for the rest of their life while being a tenant, that is, a person who lives in a place but does not fully own it. So, a life tenant is someone allowed to use or live in property 'for life', and when they die the property goes to someone else.