deodand noun. ['di:ǝ(ʊ)dand] E16.
[Law French deodande from Anglo-Latin deodanda, -um, from Latin Deo dandum thing to be given to God (Deus god, dare give).]
Something to be given to God; spec. (Law, now Hist.) a thing forfeited to the Crown for a religious or charitable use, as having caused a human death; loosely a sum forfeited as the value of a deodand.

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