superstitious use
Law (now Ecclesiastical Law )
noun
1A use of money, as a bequest or trust, considered to be inimical to the Established Church or the state religion, originally a disposition of property for purportedly religious purposes not tolerated by the law.
2The using of money for such a purpose.
Origin
Early 17th century; earliest use found in Francis Bacon (1561–1626), lord chancellor, politician, and philosopher.