fee simple

From Old French fief simple.

fee simple (plural fees simple)

1. (law) The private ownership of property (real estate) in which the owner has the right to control, use, and transfer the property at will.
   • 1787, William Cowper, letter, 19 October:

     It had never occurred to me that a parson has no fee-simple in the house and glebe he occupies.

• fee simple absolute in possession
• fee simple determinable
• fee simple subject to condition subsequent
• fee simple subject to executory interest
• fee simple subject to executory limitation