tanistry

English

Etymology

From tanist +‎ -ry.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtæ.nɪ.stɹi/

Noun

tanistry (usually uncountable, plural tanistries)

1. (historical) A form of tenure, in ancient Scotland and Ireland, whereby succession was passed to an elected member of the same extended family.
   • 2011, Norman Davies, Vanished Kingdoms, Penguin, published 2012, page 50:

     They also have to make allowance, in place of primogeniture, for the practice of tanistry, that is, the naming of a successor who was not necessarily the ruler's son.