Dead-hand definition

The ever-present, oppressive influence of past events.
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Mortmain.
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Origin of dead-hand

  • Middle English dede hond translation of Old French mortemain or Medieval Latin manus mortua mortmain

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

Dead-hand Sentence Examples

  • His wife was mistress by his death-bed, and she could put the words she chose into the mouth of a dead man - and could move the dead hand at her will.

  • And when he now merely signs his name, it is "John Knox, with my dead hand and glad heart."

  • This was an act to prevent the further accumulation of landed property in the dead hand of religious persons and communities.

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Words near dead-hand in the Dictionary