Question about the Constitution

[calvinbiss]

What does "Corruption of Blood" mean in the cluase of the American Constitution?

Clause 2: The Congress shall have Power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

Any ideas?

 

[FeathersMcGraw]

The Annotated Constitution: Article III, Section III, Clause 2 (see the bottom of the page and the following one).

It appears to be related to the legal or inheritance status of the descendants of those accused of treason.