What term describes a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits major life activities?

The term that describes a physical or mental impairment that significantly limits major life activities is disability or handicap. This definition is widely recognized in various legal and social contexts, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which sets forth guidelines and standards for understanding what constitutes a disability. Disabilities can affect a person's ability to perform basic functions such as walking, seeing, hearing, and even cognitive processes, thereby impacting their daily life and interactions.

The other terms mentioned do not relate to the context of impairments. Dominant tenement refers to property law, specifically a property that benefits from an easement. Dower and curtesy are legal terms related to the rights of a surviving spouse in property ownership after the death of their partner. Easement is also a property law term that denotes a legal right to use another's land for a specific purpose. These terms are entirely separate from the concept of disabilities and do not address the limitations on life activities resulting from physical or mental impairments.