​MESSUAGE (from Anglo-French mesuage, probably a corruption of mésuage, ménage, popular Lat. mansionaticum, from mansio, whence mod. Fr. maison, from manere, to dwell), in law, a term equivalent to a 'dwelling-house, and including outbuildings, orchard, cartilage or court-yard and garden. At one time “ messuage ” is supposed to have had a more extensive meaning than that comprised in the word “ house,” but such, distinction, if it ever existed, no longer survives.