mortmain

• Nom désignant une notion juridique de propriété immobilière inaliénable, souvent détenue par une corporation ecclésiastique, ou métaphoriquement — l'influence oppressive de décisions ou d'événements passés.

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.

indénombrable

1. Inalienable propertyC2formallegal

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

   Mainmorte

   • 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.

   Synonymesdead hand

2. Oppressive influence of the pastC2formal

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

   emprise du passé

   • 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   • The company's outdated policies acted as a mortmain on innovation.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.

   Synonymesdead handdead weightincubusstranglehold