Escheat

es-chet', n. (Feud. & Eng. Law.) Reverting of lands to the lord of the fee, through extinction of the blood of the tenant. S. Law.) Falling or reverting of real property to the State, as orig. and ultimate proprietor, by failure of legal owners a writ to recover escheats from the person in po e ion. Lands which fall to the lord or state by escheat; what falls to one; a reversion. — v. (Law.) To revert, return, or become forfeited to the lord, the crown, or the state. [OF. eschet, a thing fallen to, fr. escheoir, to fall to the lot of, fr. cheoir, L. cadere, to fall.] — Escheat'able, a. Liable to escheat.