In English law . Terms, (usually mortgages,) for a long period of years, which are created or kept outstanding for the purpose of attending or waiting upon and protecting the inheritance . 1 Steph. Comm. 351. A phrase used in conveyancing to denote estates which are kept alive, after the objects for which they were originally created have ceased, so that they might be deemed merged or satisfied, for the purpose of protecting or strengthening the title of the owner. Abbott
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
