Associations to the word «Mortmain»

Wiktionary

MORTMAIN, noun. (legal) The perpetual, inalienable possession of lands by a corporation or non-personal entity such as a church.
MORTMAIN, noun. (literary) A strong and inalienable possession.

Dictionary definition

MORTMAIN, noun. Real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation).
MORTMAIN, noun. The oppressive influence of past events or decisions.

Wise words

The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.
Mark Twain