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n. 1. a. The range, magnitude, or distance over which a thing extends: landowners unaware of the extent of their own holdings. b. The degree to which a thing extends: prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. 2. An extensive space or area: an extent of desert. 3. Law a. In Great Britain, a writ allowing a creditor to seize a debtor's property temporarily. b. The seizure in execution of such a writ. 4. Archaic An assessment or valuation, as of land in Britain, especially for taxation. [Middle English extente, assessment on land, from Anglo-Norman, from feminine past participle of extendre, to extend, from Latin extendere; see EXTEND.] |
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