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

And so Farmer Caresfoot became the lawful owner of Bratham Abbey with its two advowsons, its royal franchises of treasure-trove and deodand, and more than a thousand acres of the best land in Marlshire.

From Dawn by Haggard, Henry Rider

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

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

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

"I wonder if you couldn't get 'em to try Andrew," hazarded Tutt, "and maybe declare him forfeited to somebody as a deodand."

From Tutt and Mr. Tutt by Train, Arthur Cheney