fidei commissum

noun

fi·​dei com·​mis·​sum

ˈfī-dē-ˌā-kə-ˈmi-səm, ˈfē-dā-ˌē-kȯ-ˈmē-su̇m

plural fidei commissa

-sə, -sä

in the civil law of Louisiana : a gift (as by will) of property in which a person is invested with title and which the person is directed to convey to another person or to make a particular disposition of compare substitution

Note: Fidei commissa are prohibited by the Louisiana Civil Code.

Word History

Etymology

Latin fidei commissum, from neuter past participle of fideicommittere to bequeath (a thing) with the request that it be delivered to a third person, from fidei, dative of fides trust + committere to place in the hands of, entrust