What term is used for the initial granting of land by a sovereign power?

The term "Patent" refers specifically to the initial granting of land by a sovereign power, such as a government. In the context of land ownership, a patent is an official document that confirms the title to a property, often issued to individuals or entities as a means of transferring land from the state or sovereign authority to a private owner. This legal document serves as the foundational act of conveying property rights from the government to the individual, establishing their ownership.

In contrast, other options represent different legal concepts related to property but do not denote the initial grant from a sovereign. A "Will" is a legal document that outlines how a person's assets should be distributed upon their death, while an "Abstract" is a summary of the title history of a property, often used to examine the chain of ownership. A "Deed," on the other hand, is a legal instrument used to transfer ownership of real estate from one party to another but is not specifically tied to the initial granting of land from a sovereign authority. Thus, the correct choice effectively captures the specific nature of the initial land grant.