"superficies solo cedit"

English translation: the surface yields to the ground

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

Latin term or phrase:	superficies solo cedit
English translation:	the surface yields to the ground
Entered by:	Karl Apsel

15:46 Nov 16, 2005

Latin to English translations [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law (general)

Latin term or phrase: "superficies solo cedit"

"Superficies solo cedit" is the Roman law principle governing land ownership. I understand what it (the principle) means but I would like to provide an accurate translation of the Latin maxim.

Is it something like "limited to the surface alone"?

Thanks for your help!

Karl Apsel KudoZ activity Questions: 23 (none open) Answers: 183 Ireland
Local time: 16:01

The Latin literally means 'the surface yields to the ground'

Explanation:
superficies=surface
cedo=I yield
solum -i = the ground/earth

Selected response from:

H Pattenden

Grading comment

Thanks a lot to both answerers. As pointed out in my question I was looking for a literal translation of the Latin, so here we go...

Thanks again to both of you!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

Summary of answers provided

The Latin literally means 'the surface yields to the ground'

H Pattenden

everything what is built on the land (buildings) belong to the owner of the land

Kirill Semenov

Answers

4 mins confidence:

everything what is built on the land (buildings) belong to the owner of the land

Explanation:
Two things, the property of two persons, might become so united as not to be separable without injury to one or both; in this case the owner of the principal thing became the owner of the accessory. Thus, in the case of a man building on another man's ground, the building belonged to the owner of the ground (superficies solo cedit); or in the case of a tree planted, or seed sown on another man's ground, the rule was the same, when the tree or seed had taken root.

http://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/secondary/...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 5 mins (2005-11-16 15:51:50 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

everything what is on the land belongs to the land's owner

Kirill Semenov
Ukraine
Local time: 18:01
Native speaker of:

Russian
PRO pts in category: 4

14 mins confidence:

The Latin literally means 'the surface yields to the ground'

Explanation:
superficies=surface
cedo=I yield
solum -i = the ground/earth

H Pattenden
PRO pts in category: 4

Grading comment

Thanks a lot to both answerers. As pointed out in my question I was looking for a literal translation of the Latin, so here we go...

Thanks again to both of you!

Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:

ProZ.com term search

Search millions of term translations

"superficies solo cedit"

English translation: the surface yields to the ground

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

Your current localization setting

Select a language

"superficies solo cedit"

English translation: the surface yields to the ground

Answers

KudoZ™ translation help

You have native languages that can be verified

Your current localization setting

Select a language