FIDEICOMMISSION, the name given in Roman law to a provision made by a testator directing his heir or legatee to enter on the inheritance and subsequently denude wholly or partially in favour of a third party. It was introduced formally in the time of Augustus, previously having had no legal force. As cases arose of a legatee failing to comply with this request a court was instituted, the praetor commissaries, with special powers of adjudication. See ROMAN LAW; SETTLEMENT, ACT OF.