Corruption of blood

Corruption \Cor*rup"tion\ (k?r-r?p"sh?n), n. [F. corruption, L.
   corruptio.]
   1. The act of corrupting or making putrid, or state of being
      corrupt or putrid; decomposition or disorganization, in
      the process of putrefaction; putrefaction; deterioration.
      [1913 Webster]

            The inducing and accelerating of putrefaction is a
            subject of very universal inquiry; for corruption is
            a reciprocal to "generation".         --Bacon.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. The product of corruption; putrid matter.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. The act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue,
      or moral principle; the state of being corrupted or
      debased; loss of purity or integrity; depravity;
      wickedness; impurity; bribery.
      [1913 Webster]

            It was necessary, by exposing the gross corruptions
            of monasteries, . . . to exite popular indignation
            against them.                         --Hallam.
      [1913 Webster]

            They abstained from some of the worst methods of
            corruption usual to their party in its earlier days.
                                                  --Bancroft.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Corruption, when applied to officers, trustees, etc.,
         signifies the inducing a violation of duty by means of
         pecuniary considerations. --Abbott.
         [1913 Webster]

   4. The act of changing, or of being changed, for the worse;
      departure from what is pure, simple, or correct; as, a
      corruption of style; corruption in language.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Corruption of blood} (Law), taint or impurity of blood, in
      consequence of an act of attainder of treason or felony,
      by which a person is disabled from inheriting any estate
      or from transmitting it to others.
      [1913 Webster]

            Corruption of blood can be removed only by act of
            Parliament.                           --Blackstone.

   Syn: Putrescence; putrefaction; defilement; contamination;
        deprivation; debasement; adulteration; depravity; taint.
        See {Depravity}.
        [1913 Webster]
    

CORRUPTION OF BLOOD,, English crim. law. The incapacity to inherit, or pass 
an inheritance, in consequence of an attainder to which the party has been 
subject 
     2. When this consequence flows from an attainder, the party is stripped 
of all honors and dignities he possessed, and becomes ignoble. 
     3. The Constitution of the United States, Amendm. art. 5, provides, 
that no person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous 
crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in 
cases arising in the land or naval, forces, or in the militia, when in 
actual service in time of war or public danger" and by art. 3, s. 3, n. 2, 
it is declared that "no attainder of treason shall work. corruption of 
blood, or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted." 
     4. The Constitution of Pennsylvania, art. 9, s. 19, directs that "no 
attainder shall work corruption of blood." 3 Cruise, 240, 378 to 381, 473 1 
Cruise, 52 1 Chit. Cr. Law, 740; 4 Bl. Com. 388.