Vadium Mortuum
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
con. tracts. A mortgage or dead pledge: it is a security given by the borrower of a sum of money, by which he grants him an estate in fee, on condition that if the money be not repaid at the time appointed, the estate so put in pledge shall continue to the lender as dead or gone from the mortgagor.
2 Bl. Com. 157; 1 Pow. Mortg.4.