deodand Hear it!

deodand definition

deo·dand (dē′ō dand′)

noun

Eng. Law, Historical an item of personal property, as an animal, that causes a person's death and is consequently forfeited to the crown to be used for some pious purpose

Etymology: Anglo-Fr deodande < ML(Ec) deodandum < Deo dandum, lit., to be given to God < L Deo, dat. of Deus, God + dandum, ger. of dare, to give: see date

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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