deodand

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An object forfeited to the state (and supposedly to God) because it had caused the death of a person.
  2. A fine equal to the value of this object, paid by the owner of the object.

Word forms

deodand deodands

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman deodande, from Latin deodandum, from Deo dandum (“to be given to God”).

Related words

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