Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun dead_hand

2 senses of dead hand

Sense 1
mortmain, dead hand -- (real property held inalienably (as by an ecclesiastical corporation))
       => real property, real estate, realty, immovable -- (property consisting of houses and land)

Sense 2
dead hand, dead hand of the past, mortmain -- (the oppressive influence of past events or decisions)
       => influence -- (a power to affect persons or events especially power based on prestige etc; "used her parents' influence to get the job")