Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Commendam

Commendam , noun

[Late Latin dare in commendam to give into trust.]

(Eng. Ecclesiastical Law) A vacant living or benefice commended to a cleric (usually a bishop) who enjoyed the revenue until a pastor was provided. A living so held was said to be held in commendam. The practice was abolished by law in 1836.
There was [formerly] some sense for commendams. — Selden
Collocations (1)
Partnership in commendam , See under Partnership.