mortmain
/ˈmɔrtmeɪn/
noun
- The legal condition of land or property owned by a church, charity, or corporation that cannot be sold or transferred.
- The estate was given to the university in mortmain, so it remains theirs forever.
- The old monastery's land was held in mortmain and could not be sold.
- Laws about mortmain prevent some organizations from easily selling their property.