mortuum vadium

noun

mor·​tu·​um va·​di·​um
ˈmȯrchəwəmˈvādēəm
: a mortgage agreement in early English law that gave possession of the mortgaged land and the use of its rents and profits to the mortgagee until such time as the mortgage was paid compare vivum vadium

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, literally, dead pledge

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Cite this Entry

“Mortuum vadium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mortuum%20vadium. Accessed 15 Dec. 2024.

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