I. ə̇s(h)ˈchēt, es(- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English eschete, from Anglo-French, from Old French eschete, escheoite, from escheoit, past participle of escheoir to fall, happen, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin excadere to happen, fall to the lot of, from Latin ex- + cadere to fall — more at chance
1.
a. : the falling back or reversion of lands in English feudal law to the lord of the fee upon the failure of heirs capable of inheriting under the original grant
b. : the lapsing or reverting of land to the crown in England or to the state in the United States as original and ultimate proprietor by reason of failure of persons legally entitled to such land — see inquest of office
c. : the right of taking property that is subject to such reversion
2. : escheated property
3.
a. Scotland : confiscation , forfeiture — see liferent escheat
b. obsolete : an appropriating unfairly or by force : plundering
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English escheten, from eschete, n.
transitive verb
1. : to cause to revert, lapse, pass, or come or go into the possession of another by escheat
2. Scots law : forfeit
intransitive verb
: to revert, fall, lapse, or pass by escheat