in law, a severing of a benefice ecclesiastical to the proper and perpetual use of some religious house, or dean and chapter, bishoprick, or college; because, as persons ordinarily have no right of fee simple, these, by reason of their perpetuity, are accounted owners of the fee simple; and therefore are called proprietors. To an appropriation, after the licence obtained of the king in chancery, the consent of the diocesan, patron, and incumbent, are necessary, if the church be full; but, if the church be void, the diocesan and the patron, upon the king's licence, may conclude.