\De"o*dand`\, n. [LL. deodandum, fr. L. Deo dandum to be
given to God.] (Old Eng. Law)
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.