ownership

noun

Etymology: Etymology tree English own Proto-Indo-European *-yósder. Proto-Italic *-āzijos Latin -āriusnom. Latin -āriusbor. Proto-Germanic *-ārijaz Proto-West Germanic *-ārī Old English -ere Middle English -ere English -er English owner Proto-Germanic *skapjaną Proto-Germanic *-skapiz Proto-West Germanic *-skapi Old English -sċiepe Middle English -schipe English -ship English ownership From owner + -ship.

1. The state of having complete legal control of something; possession; proprietorship.

   “Other evidence of former ownerships such as notice-boards, number plates, and makers' plates, are often discovered unexpectedly. […] It has not been used for many years, and although it was impracticable to photograph the engine in the small confines of the shed it was possible to obtain a picture of the plate which it still carries showing the former ownership.”

   “In the summer, DCC [Devon County Council] transferred ownership of the northern part of the station to NR for a nominal £1, enabling it (and the platform) to become part of the rail network.”

2. Responsibility for or control over something.

   “The successful candidate will take ownership of all internal design projects.”