mortmain

uncountable

A noun referring to the legal concept of real property held inalienably, often by an ecclesiastical corporation, or metaphorically to the oppressive influence of past events or decisions.

• 🇷🇺Существительное, обозначающее юридическую концепцию неотчуждаемой недвижимости, часто принадлежащей церковной корпорации, или метафорически — гнетущее влияние прошлых событий или решений.

1. Inalienable property C2 formal legal

   Real property held permanently and inalienably, typically by a corporation, especially an ecclesiastical one.

   • The monastery's lands were held in mortmain, preventing their sale.
   • The law of mortmain restricted the transfer of land to religious institutions.
   • The estate was placed in mortmain to ensure it remained with the charity forever.

   🇷🇺Неотчуждаемая собственность

   Synonyms: dead hand

2. Oppressive influence of the past C2 formal

   The oppressive or restrictive influence of past events, traditions, or decisions on the present.

   • The country struggled under the mortmain of its colonial history.
   • The company's outdated policies acted as a mortmain on innovation.
   • He felt the mortmain of his family's expectations weighing on his choices.

   🇷🇺Гнёт прошлого

   Synonyms: dead handdead weightincubusstranglehold

• mortmains plural form
• mortmains' possessive plural form
• mortmain's possessive singular form