Deodand

[diәjdænd]

Definition

(n.) A personal chattel which had caused the death of a person, and for that reason was given to God, that is, forfeited to the crown, to be applied to pious uses, and distributed in alms by the high almoner. Thus, if a cart ran over a man and killed him, it was forfeited as a deodand.

Checked by Kenneth

Definition

n. in old English law a personal chattel which had been the immediate accidental cause of the death of a human being forfeited to the crown for pious uses.

Checker: Nathan