deodand

[ dee-uh-dand ]
/ ˈdi əˌdænd /

noun English Law.

(before 1846) an animal or article that, having been the immediate cause of the death of a human being, was forfeited to the crown to be applied to pious uses.

Origin of deodand

1520–30; < Medieval Latin deōdandum (a thing) to be given to God < Latin deō to God (dative singular of deus) + dandum to be given (neuter gerund of dare to give)

Example sentences from the Web for deodand

British Dictionary definitions for deodand

deodand
/ (ˈdiːəʊˌdænd) /

noun

English law (formerly) a thing that had caused a person's death and was forfeited to the crown for a charitable purpose: abolished 1862

Word Origin for deodand

C16: from Anglo-French deodande, from Medieval Latin deōdandum, from Latin Deō dandum (something) to be given to God, from deus god + dare to give