Definitions from Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition and Ballentine's Law Dictionary as are available for each term in each dictionary.
  • Ballentine's Law Dictionary

    Disqualification to inherit, as by attainder. See 110 N. Y. 317, 6 Am. St. Rep. 368, 1 L. R. A. 264, 18 N. E. 148.

  • Black's Law Dictionary: 2nd Edition

    In English law. This was the consequence of attainder. It meant that the attainted person could neither inherit lands or other hereditaments from his ancostor, nor retain those he already had, nor transmit them by descent to any heir, because his blood was considered in law to be corrupted. Avery v. Everett, 110 N. Y. 317, 18 N. E. 148, 1 L R. A. 264, 6 Am. St. Rep. 368. This was abolished by St. 3 & 4 Wm. IV. c. 106, and 33 & 34 Viet. c. 23, and is unknown in America. Const. U. S. art. 3, § 3.