or Demesters (Saxon dema, judge of umpire), a judge in the Isle of Man and in Jersey. All controversies in the Isle of Man are decided without process, writings, or any charges, by certain judges, chosen yearly from among the people. These are called deemsters, and there are two of them for each division of the island. The deemsters sit as judges in all courts, either for life or property; and with the advice of twenty-four keys, declare what is law in uncommon emergencies.