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

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

It would violate the separation of powers, the supremacy clause, the confrontation clause, the equal protection clause, the due process clause and the prohibition against bills of attainder.

From Washington Post

Next, the constitution specifically prohibits a type of law known as a “bill of attainder,” which is aimed at punishing specific individuals.

From Washington Post

Such a move could be seen as an unlawful “bill of attainder,” or a legislative act condemning a particular person, he said.

From Reuters