deodand
English
editEtymology
editFrom Anglo-Norman deodande, from Latin deodandum, from Deo dandum (“to be given to God”).
Noun
editdeodand (plural deodands)
- (historical, law) An object forfeited to the state (and supposedly to God) because it had caused the death of a person.
- (historical, law) A fine equal to the value of this object, paid by the owner of the object.
- pay the deodand