corruption of blood: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low / ArchaicHistorical, Legal, Literary / Archaic
Quick answer
What does “corruption of blood” mean?
A historical legal doctrine or practice, particularly in English common law, whereby the bloodline of a person convicted of treason or a felony was considered tainted, preventing them or their descendants from inheriting property, holding titles, or performing legal functions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical legal doctrine or practice, particularly in English common law, whereby the bloodline of a person convicted of treason or a felony was considered tainted, preventing them or their descendants from inheriting property, holding titles, or performing legal functions.
The term can be used more broadly, though rarely, in a literary or metaphorical sense to describe an inherited moral or physical taint, or a systemic hereditary flaw in a family or institution.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The doctrine originated in English common law and was applied in Britain and its colonies. It was abolished in the UK by the Forfeiture Act 1870. In the US, the Constitution (Article III, Section 3) explicitly forbids it as a punishment for treason. Therefore, it is a historical term in both, but its abolition was codified earlier in American foundational law.
Connotations
In both contexts, it connotes archaic, cruel, and feudal punishment systems. In the US, it specifically connotes a tyrannical practice the Founding Fathers explicitly rejected.
Frequency
Extremely rare in modern use. Likely only encountered in historical, legal, or constitutional texts. No significant difference in modern frequency between UK and US.
Grammar
How to Use “corruption of blood” in a Sentence
The law allowed for [corruption of blood].His attainder resulted in [corruption of blood].The clause prohibited [corruption of blood].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “corruption of blood” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The act of attainder would effectively corrupt the blood of the condemned.
American English
- The Constitution prevents the government from corrupting the blood of a traitor's family.
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverbial form]
American English
- [No standard adverbial form]
adjective
British English
- The corruption-of-blood penalty was seen as unduly harsh.
American English
- They discussed the corruption-of-blood clause in Article III.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in historical or legal studies discussing feudal punishments, constitutional law, or the development of common law.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A precise term in historical legal texts and constitutional commentary.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “corruption of blood”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “corruption of blood”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “corruption of blood”
- Using it to mean 'bribery within a bloodline' or 'hereditary disease'.
- Capitalising it incorrectly (not a proper noun unless starting a sentence).
- Using it in a modern, non-historical context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a historical legal term, not a medical one. It refers to a legal taint on a family's inheritance rights.
No. It was abolished in the United Kingdom in 1870 and is prohibited by the United States Constitution. It is considered an archaic and unjust form of collective punishment.
Modern 'corruption' almost always means dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, especially bribery. 'Corruption of blood' is a fixed historical phrase with the older meaning of 'becoming morally rotten or tainted,' specifically applied to a bloodline by law.
Only in very specific literary or rhetorical contexts where you are deliberately evoking the historical, hereditary, and systemic nature of the original concept. In general usage, it would be confusing and is not recommended.
A historical legal doctrine or practice, particularly in English common law, whereby the bloodline of a person convicted of treason or a felony was considered tainted, preventing them or their descendants from inheriting property, holding titles, or performing legal functions.
Corruption of blood is usually historical, legal, literary / archaic in register.
Corruption of blood: in British English it is pronounced /kəˈrʌpʃən əv ˈblʌd/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəˈrʌpʃən əv ˈblʌd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms. The term itself is a fixed historical phrase.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a family tree where a single branch is declared 'rotten' (corrupt), and that rot is passed down through the 'blood' (lineage), spoiling the inheritance for all descendants.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A CONTAGIOUS DISEASE IN THE BLOODLINE / JUSTICE IS A PURIFICATION OF LINEAGE.
Practice
Quiz
In which modern context would 'corruption of blood' most accurately be used?