in Law, signifies the title or interest that a person has in lands, tenements, or other effects; comprehending the whole in which a person hath any property, and will pass the same.

Estates are either real or personal; otherwise distinguished into FREEHOLDS, which descend to heirs; or CHATTELS, that go to executors or administrators.

A fee-simple is the amplest estate our law admits of. See Fee.

Estates are obtained several ways; as, by descent from a father to a son; by conveyance or grant from one person to another; by gift or purchase; or by deed or will. See DESCENT, SUCCESSION, TENURE, &c.