Legal Definitions - caduce

Definition: To take by escheat or lapse. For example, "the government caduced the unclaimed mineral royalties."

CADUCITY: The lapse of a testamentary gift. For example, "the testator failed to provide a contingency for the caducity of the legacy."

These terms are legal terms that refer to the process of property or gifts reverting back to the government or original owner due to certain circumstances. In the first example, the government took possession of unclaimed mineral royalties because they were not claimed by their rightful owner. In the second example, a testamentary gift (a gift given in a will) would lapse or become invalid if certain conditions were not met. These terms are important in understanding property and inheritance laws.