deodand (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.
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Source: Wiktionary
De"o*dand`, n. Etym: [LL. deodandum, fr. L. Deo dandum to be given to God.] (Old Eng. Law)
Definition: 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.
Note: Deodands are unknown in American law, and in 1846 were abolished in England.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
25 November 2024
(noun) infestation with slender threadlike roundworms (filaria) deposited under the skin by the bite of black fleas; when the eyes are involved it can result in blindness; common in Africa and tropical America
The world’s most expensive coffee costs more than US$700 per kilogram. Asian palm civet – a cat-like creature in Indonesia, eats fruits, including select coffee cherries. It excretes partially digested seeds that produce a smooth, less acidic brew of coffee called kopi luwak.
