Escheat

es-chēt′, n. property which falls to the state for want of an heir, or by forfeiture: ( Spens. ) plunder.— v.t. to confiscate.— v.i. to fall to the lord of the manor or the state.— adj. Escheat′able .— ns. Escheat′age ; Escheat′or . [O. Fr. eschete — escheoir (Fr. échoir )—Low L.,—L. ex , out, cadĕre , to fall.]