Lexic.us

Definition of Mortmain

1. Noun. Real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation).

2. Noun. The oppressive influence of past events or decisions.

Definition of Mortmain

1. n. Possession of lands or tenements in, or conveyance to, dead hands, or hands that cannot alienate.

Definition of Mortmain

1. Noun. (legal) The perpetual, inalienable possession of lands by a corporation or non-personal entity such as a church. ¹

2. Noun. (literary) A strong and inalienable possession. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Mortmain

1. perpetual ownership of land [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Mortmain

mortify mortifying mortifyingly mortis mortise mortise-and-tenon joint mortise-and-tenon joints mortise joint mortised mortiser

mortisers mortises mortising mortling mortlings mortmain (current term) mortmains mortmal mortpay mortpays

morts mortsafe mortsafes mortuaries mortuary mortuary practice morula morulae morular morulas

Literary usage of Mortmain

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. A Treatise on Wills by Thomas Jarman, Leopold George Gordon Robbins, Melville Madison Bigelow (1893)
"An Act to amend the mortmain and Charitable Uses Act, 1888, and the Law relating to mortmain and Charitable Uses. 5lh August, 1891. ..."

2. Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery: From by Francis Vesey, Great Britain Court of Chancery (1833)
"The Statute of mortmain meant to prevent a person from 2. Difference between the Statute of mortmain and 12 W. 3. adding to land already in mortmain by Will ..."

3. Commentaries on American Law by James Kent, Charles M. Barnes (1884)
"states it is understood that the statutes of mortmain have not been reenacted or practised upon ; and the inference from the statutes creating corporations ..."

4. A Digest of the Laws of England by John Comyns, Anthony Hammond, Thomas Day (1824)
"If there be an alienation in mortmain of things not held, as of a villein, ... What is not mortmain. Butif an annuity be granted to a corporation, ..."

5. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"Excluding from its operation cities and towns corporate, having, by their ancient customs, power to "devise into mortmain", the statute alluded to declares ..."

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