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In old English law. A small parcel or bit of land. MORT CIVILE. In French law. Civil death, as upon conviction for felony. It was nominally abolished by a law of the 31st of May, 1S54, but something very similar to it in effect at least, still remains. Thus, the property of the condemned, possessed by him at the date of his conviction, goes and belongs to his successors, (liC'ritiers,) as iu case of au intestacy; and his future acquired property goes to the state by right of its pre- rogative, (par droit de d6sli6rence) but the state may, as a matter of grace, make it over In whole or In part to the widow and children. Brown.