ˈmȯrtˌmān, ˈmȯ(ə)t- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English morte-mayne, from Middle French mortemain, from Old French (translation of Medieval Latin mortua manus ), from morte (feminine of mort dead, from Latin mortuus, past participle of mori to die) + main hand, from Latin manus — more at murder , manual
1.
a. : an inalienable possession or tenure of lands or buildings by an ecclesiastical or other corporation — see statutes of mortmain
b. : the condition of property or other gifts left to a corporation in perpetuity especially for religious, charitable, or public purposes
2. : the influence of the past regarded as controlling or restricting the present
the tradition … has become a deadweight, a mortmain hanging evilly over the school — John Raymond
in the grip of mortmain , under thrall of a fascinating past — Saturday Review