dead hand of the past dead hand • deadhead · · · Info · Definitions · Synonyms · Characters · · dead hand of the past · · Text Common · · Latin · · Scripts 21 · · Length 5 · · Syllables Definitions · · · (noun) the oppressive influence of past events or decisions. Synonyms: dead hand, dead hand of the past, mortmain. · · Noun Definition 1 Synonyms · · · dead hand · · Synonym 1 mortmain · · Synonym 2 Characters · · space U+0020 a latin small letter a U+0061 d latin small letter d U+0064 e latin small letter e U+0065 f latin small letter f U+0066 h latin small letter h U+0068 n latin small letter n U+006E o latin small letter o U+006F p latin small letter p U+0070 s latin small letter s U+0073 t latin small letter t U+0074