free·hold 
(frēhōld′)
(frēhōld′)n.
1. Law
a. A form of estate in which possession is held in fee, in tail, for the duration of the person's life, or during the life of some other person.
b. The tenure by which such an estate is held.
2. A tenure of an office or a dignity for life.
[Middle English frehold, translation of Anglo-Norman fraunc tenement : fraunc, free + tenement, possession.]
freehold′er n.