escheat Meaning & Definition
What Does Escheat Mean?
Escheat is used as a noun meaning The return, conversion, or vesting of property of a deceased person or closed business to the government (originally to a feudal lord) where there are no legal heirs or claimants. It is known as bona vacantia in the United Kingdom. It is also used to mean The property so reverted. As a verb, it means To put (land, property) in escheat; to confiscate. As a verb, it means To revert to a state or lord because its previous owner died without an heir.
Word Facts for Escheat
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ɪsˈt͡ʃiːt/ |
| Plural | escheats |
| Verb forms | escheats, escheating, escheated |
Escheat Definition (Noun)
- The return, conversion, or vesting of property of a deceased person or closed business to the government (originally to a feudal lord) where there are no legal heirs or claimants. It is known as bona vacantia in the United Kingdom.
- The property so reverted.
- Plunder, booty.
- That which falls to one; a reversion or return.
Escheat as a Verb
- To put (land, property) in escheat; to confiscate.
- To revert, convert, or vest ownership to the government or lord because its previous owner died without an heir or a business closed and no one claims the assets.
Noun
- The return of property of a deceased person to the state (originally to a feudal lord) where there are no legal heirs or claimants.
Verb
- To revert to a state or lord because its previous owner died without an heir.
Synonyms of Escheat
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Escheat synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
escheat (countable and uncountable, plural escheats)
escheat (third-person singular simple present escheats, present participle escheating, simple past and past participle escheated)
Origin of Escheat
From Middle English escheat, achete, eschete (“the reversion or conversion of property to the government”), from Anglo-Norman eschete and Old French eschet, escheit, escheoit (“that which falls to one”), past participle of escheoir (“to fall”) (modern French échoir), from Late Latin *excadēre (“fall away, fall out”), from (Latin) ex- + cadere (“fall”). Doublet of cheat.
Common Questions About Escheat
Is escheat a noun or a verb?
Escheat is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of escheat?
The plural of escheat is escheats.
What is the past tense of escheat?
The past tense of escheat is escheated. The present participle is escheating.