deodand

American  

[dee-uh-dand] / ˈdi əˌdænd /

noun

English Law.

1. (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.

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deodand British  

/ ˈdiːəʊˌdænd /

noun

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

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Etymology

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

The deodand seems to have been looked upon as a species of rude penalty imposed on the use of dangerous appliances, a sharp reminder to the companies to look sharply after their locomotives and employés. 

From Railway Adventures and Anecdotes extending over more than fifty years by Various

As long ago as Bracton, /1/ in case a man was slain, the coroner was to value the object causing the death, and that was to be forfeited sa deodand "pro rege."

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

The verdict returned was "Accidental Death," with a deodand of five pounds upon the bull.

From Trevlyn Hold by Wood, Mrs. Henry

If a horse or other animal in motion killed a person, whether infant or adult, or if a cart ran over him, it was forfeited as a deodand.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 2 "Demijohn" to "Destructor" by Various

If a man fell from a tree, the tree was deodand.

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell