In English ecclesiastical law. The taking away from a clergy-man his benefice or other spiritual promotion or dignity, either by sentence declaratory in the proper court for fit and sufficient causes or in pursuance of divers penal statutes which declare the benefice void for some non-feasance or neglect, or some malfeasance or crime. 3 Steph. Comm. 87, 88; Burn, Ecc. Law, tlt “Deprivation.”
Source: Black’s Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
