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.

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Etymology

Origin of corruption of blood

First recorded in 1555–65

Example Sentences

"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)

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

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 Studies in Civics by McCleary, J. T. (James Thompson)

Congress is authorized to prescribe the punishment of treason, but the Constitution declares that no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture except during the life of the person attainted.

From Government in the United States National, State and Local by Garner, James Wilford

After Henry VIII's reign the law was modified so as not to work "corruption of blood" in the case of new felonies.

From The Leading Facts of English History by Montgomery, D. H. (David Henry)