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Webster 1913 Edition
Deodand
De′o-dandˊ
,Noun.
[LL.
deodandum
, fr. L. Deo dandum
to be given to God.] (Old Eng. Law)
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.
☞ Deodands are unknown in American law, and in 1846 were abolished in England.
Webster 1828 Edition
Deodand
DEODAND
,Noun.
In England, a personal chattel which is the immediate occasion of the death of a rational creature, and for that reason, given to God, that is, forfeited to the king, to be applied to pious uses, and distributed in alms by his high almoner. Thus, if a cart runs over a man and kills him, the cart is forfeited as a deodand.