detinue

[ det-n-oo, -yoo ]

noun

, Law.

1. an old commonlaw form of action to recover possession of personal property wrongfully detained.

detinue

/ ˈdɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. law an action brought by a plaintiff to recover goods wrongfully detained

Word History and Origins

Origin of detinue¹

1425–75; late Middle English detenu < Anglo-French detenue, detinue detention, originally feminine past participle of detenir to detain

Word History and Origins

Origin of detinue¹

C15: from Old French detenue, from detenir to detain

Example Sentences

No more questions, like the one on Virginia’s recent exam, about how to use a local rule called “detinue” to recover Colonel Riles E. Plumlee’s ceremonial sword.

From Slate

Compurgation still existed for debt and detinue.

From Project Gutenberg

The use of the action of trover gradually supplants the action of detinue, which involves compurgation.

From Project Gutenberg

The Chancellor took jurisdiction of cases of debt, detinue, and account which had been decided in other courts with oath-helping by the defendant.

From Project Gutenberg

The detinue award is for the specific chattel or its value.

From Project Gutenberg