attainder

[ uh-teyn-der ]

noun

1. the legal consequence of judgment of death or outlawry for treason or felony, involving the loss of all civil rights.
2. Obsolete. dishonor.

attainder

/ əˈteɪndə /

noun

1. (formerly) the extinction of a person's civil rights resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry on conviction for treason or felony See also bill of attainder
2. obsolete.
   dishonour

Word History and Origins

Origin of attainder¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English attaynder, atteindor, noun use of Old French ataindre, ateindre “to attain, touch (upon), affect, convict”; attain

Word History and Origins

Origin of attainder¹

C15: from Anglo-French attaindre to convict, from Old French ateindre to attain

Example Sentences

That is the process the bill of attainder tells us is the appropriate one for investigation, prosecution, and punishment, with all of the attributes of that branch.

From Slate

NetChoice, a trade group that represents TikTok and other tech companies, says the bill would violate the First Amendment and “bill of attainder” laws that prohibit the government from imposing a punishment on a specific entity without a formal trial.

From Seattle Times

The legislation was also expected to face legal hurdles on First Amendment grounds as well as “bills of attainder” laws prohibiting the government from imposing a punishment on a specific entity without a formal trial.

From Seattle Times

The legislation was also expected to face legal hurdles on First Amendment grounds as well as “bills of attainder” laws prohibiting the government from imposing a punishment on a specific entity without a formal trial.

From Washington Times

According to Mr. Dershowitz, the panel operated against the spirit of one of only two civil-liberties provisions in the original Constitution, before the Bill of Rights was added — a ban on “bills of attainder.”

From Washington Times