English Explanatory Dictionary

mortmain

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. The perpetual, inalienable possession of lands by a corporation or non-personal entity such as a church.
  2. A strong and inalienable possession.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɔːt.meɪn/ /ˈmɔɹt.meɪn/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-mortmain.wav

Word forms

mortmain mortmains

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman mortmayn, morte meyn, from Old French mortes meins, after Late Latin phrase mortua manus. See Latin mortuus (“dead”) + manus (“hand”).

Related words

Statutes of Mortmain

Translations

Catalan: mà morta Czech: nezcizitelný pozemek Finnish: pysyvä omistus French: mainmorte Italian: manomorta Polish: martwa ręka Serbo-Croatian: метох Spanish: manos muertas
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