attorn

American  

[uh-turn] / əˈtɜrn /

verb (used without object)

1. to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.

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verb (used with object)

1. to turn over to another; transfer.

attorn British  

/ əˈtɜːn /

verb

1. law to acknowledge a new owner of land as one's landlord

2. feudal history to transfer allegiance or do homage to a new lord

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Other Word Forms

• attornment noun

Etymology

Origin of attorn

1425–75; late Middle English attournen < Anglo-French attourner, Old French atourner to turn over to. See at-, turn

Example Sentences

But he hankered after his elder Brother’s Estate, and, on his Death, suddenly got the Tenants to attorn to him, and basely dispossessed his Nephew.

From The True Life of Betty Ireland With Her Birth, Education, and Adventures. Together with Some Account of Her Elder Sister Blanch of Britain. Containing Sundry Very Curious Particulars by Anonymous

The Judge on the bench he looked awfully stern; The District Attorney began to attorn; The witnesses lied and the lawyers—O my!—

From Black Beetles in Amber by Bierce, Ambrose