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

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.

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

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

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)