Look up: deodand

1. Deodand
   De'o·dand` noun [ Late Latin deodandum , from Latin 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 b...
   Found on http://www.encyclo.co.uk/webster/D/38
   
   
2. Deodand
   • (n.) 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.
   Found on http://thinkexist.com/dictionary/meaning
   
   
3. Deodand
   English Law. This word is derived from Deo dandum - to be given to God - and is used to designate the instrument, whether it be an animal or inanimate thing, which has caused the death of a man.
   Found on http://www.lectlaw.com/def/d134.htm
   
   
4. Deodand
   In old English law, deodand was a term denoting any chattel which had caused the death of a person, accidentally or otherwise, such as falling from a ladder, being tossed by a bull, falling from a horse etc. The item was sold and the proceeds taken by the church and the money supposedly paid for mas...
   Found on http://www.probertencyclopaedia.com/brow
   
   
5. Deodand
   `Deodand` is a thing forfeited or given to God, specifically, in law, an object or instrument which becomes forfeit because it has caused a person`s death.<ref name="eb">"http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Deodand Deodand", Encyclopaedia Britannica, 1911--> The English iss...
   Found on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deodand