entail
An entail is when someone can't sell their property because they have to pass it down to someone else. It's often used for big houses or lands.
If you think of an heir as a person who gets something after someone dies, then "entail" makes sense. When you promise that some land will go to your children or grandchildren when you die, you're entailing it to them. This can happen in wills, but often people just talk about it like a promise between family members. It's not as common as selling property, but it happens when families want to keep things within the family for generations.
How common is "entail"?
Word entail is considered uncommon in modern English.
It appears most frequently in academic texts and less often in other writings.
It appears most frequently in academic texts and less often in other writings.
Definitions
verb
(transitive) To imply, require, or invoke.
Example: This activity will entail careful attention to detail.
Real examples of "entail" in context
