mortmain
mortmain
Definition
mort·main (môrt′mān′)
noun
- a transfer of lands or houses to a corporate body, such as a school, church, or charitable organization, for perpetual ownership
- such ownership
Etymology: ME morte-mayne < OFr mortemain < ML mortua manus, lit., dead hand < fem. of L mortuus, pp. of mori, to die (see mortal) + manus, hand: see manual
mortmain
Law Definition
n
Archaic
The permanent holding of lands
by an ecclesiastical organization, without the right to dispose of them.
mortmain
Usage Examples
Modifies a noun
- license: A fine of 26 marks was paid for the mortmain license.
Browse dictionary entries near mortmain
- mortise
- Mortimer
- mortify
- mortification
- mortician
- mortice
- mortgagor
- mortgagee
- mortgaged
- Mortgage REIT
- Morton
- mortuary
- morula
- mos
- mosaic
- mosaic gold
- mosaic image
- Mosaic law
- mosaicism
- Moscow
