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corruption of blood

American  

noun

English Law.
  1. the impurity before law that results from attainder and disqualifies the attainted person from inheriting, retaining, or bequeathing lands or interests in lands: abolished in 1870.


Etymology

Origin of corruption of blood

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then followed those dreadful attendant penalties; confiscation of his estate and the terrible 'attainder and corruption of blood.'

From The Bay State Monthly, Volume 3, No. 4 by Various

No attainder shall work corruption of blood in any case.

From Memoir, Correspondence, And Miscellanies, From The Papers Of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 1 by Randolph, Thomas Jefferson

"Is attainder and corruption of blood ever a proper punishment?"

From Memoirs of the Life of Sir Walter Scott, Volume I (of 10) by Lockhart, J. G. (John Gibson)

The congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason; but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.

From The Government Class Book Designed for the Instruction of Youth in the Principles of Constitutional Government and the Rights and Duties of Citizens. by Young, Andrew W.

The Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.

From A Brief History of the United States by Barnes & Co.

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