Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The ever-present, oppressive influence of past events.
- noun Mortmain.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Same as
mortmain .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation)
- noun the oppressive influence of past events or decisions
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English dede hond, translation of Old French mortemain or Medieval Latin manus mortua, mortmain.]
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Examples
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mothlight commented on the word dead hand
"The ever-present, oppressive influence of past events"
July 7, 2011