Final answer:
An easement appurtenant is an easement attached to a piece of land that benefits the land and remains with the property even when the ownership changes.
Step-by-step explanation:
An easement appurtenant is a type of easement that is inherently linked to a specific piece of land, irrespective of changes in ownership. It benefits a particular property, known as the dominant estate, and is said to 'run with the land.' This means that the easement persists even if the property ownership changes hands. In contrast to an easement in gross, which is personal and not tied to the land itself, an easement appurtenant is explicitly connected to the land.
This differs from an easement by prescription, acquired through continuous, open, and adverse use, and easement by necessity, arising from a landlocked property's access needs. Easements appurtenant are a fundamental aspect of property law, providing enduring rights and privileges to the landowner and successive property owners.