A contract, by which one of the parties binds himself to return to the other certain personal chattels which the latter delivers to him, to be used by him, without reward; loan for use. Vide Loan for use.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In the civil law. He who lends to another a thing for a definite time, to be enjoyed and used under certain conditions, without any pay or reward, is called “commodans;” the person who receives the thing is called “commodatariua,” and the contract is called “commodatum.” It differs from locatio and conductio, in this: that the use of the thing is gratuitous.