Search Result for "corruption of blood":

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Corruption \Cor*rup"tion\ (k?r-r?p"sh?n), n. [F. corruption, L. corruptio.] 1. The act of corrupting or making putrid, or state of being corrupt or putrid; decomposition or disorganization, in the process of putrefaction; putrefaction; deterioration. [1913 Webster] The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a subject of very universal inquiry; for corruption is a reciprocal to "generation". --Bacon. [1913 Webster] 2. The product of corruption; putrid matter. [1913 Webster] 3. The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue, or moral principle; the state of being corrupted or debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity; wickedness; impurity; bribery. [1913 Webster] It was necessary, by exposing the gross corruptions of monasteries, . . . to exite popular indignation against them. --Hallam. [1913 Webster] They abstained from some of the worst methods of corruption usual to their party in its earlier days. --Bancroft. [1913 Webster] Note: Corruption, when applied to officers, trustees, etc., signifies the inducing a violation of duty by means of pecuniary considerations. --Abbott. [1913 Webster] 4. The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse; departure from what is pure, simple, or correct; as, a corruption of style; corruption in language. [1913 Webster] Corruption of blood (Law), taint or impurity of blood, in consequence of an act of attainder of treason or felony, by which a person is disabled from inheriting any estate or from transmitting it to others. [1913 Webster] Corruption of blood can be removed only by act of Parliament. --Blackstone. Syn: Putrescence; putrefaction; defilement; contamination; deprivation; debasement; adulteration; depravity; taint. See Depravity. [1913 Webster]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

CORRUPTION OF BLOOD,, English crim. law. The incapacity to inherit, or pass an inheritance, in consequence of an attainder to which the party has been subject 2. When this consequence flows from an attainder, the party is stripped of all honors and dignities he possessed, and becomes ignoble. 3. The Constitution of the United States, Amendm. art. 5, provides, that no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval, forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger" and by art. 3, s. 3, n. 2, it is declared that "no attainder of treason shall work. corruption of blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted." 4. The Constitution of Pennsylvania, art. 9, s. 19, directs that "no attainder shall work corruption of blood." 3 Cruise, 240, 378 to 381, 473 1 Cruise, 52 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 740; 4 Bl. Com. 388.