escheat

Definition

The return of property of a deceased person to the state (originally to a feudal lord) where there are no legal heirs or claimants.

Etymology

From Middle English eschete, from Anglo-Norman escheat, Old French eschet, escheit, escheoit (“that which falls to one”), from the past participle of escheoir (“to fall”), from Vulgar Latin *excadēre, from Latin ex + cadere (“fall”).

Example Sentences

• "Approching, with bold words and bitter threat, / Bad that same boaster, as he mote, on high / To leaue to him that Lady for excheat, / Or bide him battell without further treat."
• "And by my ruines thinkes to make them great: / To make one great by others losse, is bad excheat"