1. Real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation)
   - mortmain 
2. The oppressive influence of past events or decisions
   - dead hand of the past, mortmain

Derived forms: dead hands

Type of: immovable, influence, real estate, real property, realty

Encyclopedia: Dead hand

• turn of events
• turn of expression
• turn of phrase
• turn of the century
• turn on
• turn on a dime
• turn one's stomach
• turn over a new leaf
• turn signal
• turn tail
• turn the corner
• turn the other cheek
• turn the tables
• turn the tide
• turn thumbs down
• turn to
• turn turtle
• turn up the heat
• turn up the pressure
• turnabout
• turnaround
• turnaround time
• turnbuckle
• turncoat
• turncock