Emily Dickinson Lexicon

COM-MAND'ER-Y, or COM-MAND'RY, n. [Fr. commanderie.]

A kind of benefice or fixed revenue, belonging to a military order, conferred on knights of merit. There are strict and regular commandries, obtained by merit, or in order; and others are of grace and favor, bestowed by the Grand Master. There are also commandries for the religious, in the orders of St. Bernard and St. Anthony. – Encyc.