lien

¹

[ leen, lee-uhn ]

noun

1. Law. the legal claim of one person upon the property of another person to secure the payment of a debt or the satisfaction of an obligation.

lien

²

[ lahy-uhn, -en ]

noun

, Anatomy.

1. the spleen.

lien

/ ˈliːən; liːn /

noun

1. law a right to retain possession of another's property pending discharge of a debt

lien

1. A claim or right given to a creditor to secure payment of a debt , usually by sale of the debtor's property.

Other Words From

• liena·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lien¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Anglo-French, Old French, from Latin ligāmen “tie, bandage,” from ligā(re) “to tie” + -men, noun suffix of result; ligament ( def )

Origin of lien²

First recorded in 1645–55; from Latin liēn; spleen

Word History and Origins

Origin of lien¹

C16: via Old French from Latin ligāmen bond, from ligāre to bind

Example Sentences

The tax code sets guidelines around what it calls extraordinary collection actions, which include lawsuits, garnishments and liens for unpaid hospital bills.

From ProPublica

The agency, he added, is “not issuing new garnishments or liens at this time” and has also requested discretion to waive PUA overpayments.

From ProPublica

Others garnish tax refunds or paychecks, put a lien on properties and bank accounts or even take claimants to court.

From ProPublica

Approval also means a business status check into litigation history, including past judgments and previous liens filed against it.

From Search Engine Land

Republicans in the Florida Senate, led by Brandes, pushed for a version of the law that would have permitted felons to vote once a judge converted the debts to civil liens — a common practice once a felon is no longer imprisoned or on probation.

From ProPublica

Lien had been taken to Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, where he was treated and released.

From The Daily Beast

Lien kept going and the bikers pursued him, horns beeping, the big buzz now sounding frenzied, furious.

From The Daily Beast

They cut in and out were generally so reckless that Lien became one of 200 citizens who called 911 about bikers that day.

From The Daily Beast

Lien and Ng were celebrating a much happier marker, their first wedding anniversary.

From The Daily Beast

But Lien was a 33 year-old e-commerce executive with his young family.

From The Daily Beast

A corporation has no lien on its stock for the indebtedness of the owner unless conferred by charter or statute.

From Project Gutenberg

He has a special interest or property in them, and a lien thereon for advances in money that he may make to the owners.

From Project Gutenberg

A garage keeper is generally allowed a lien on an automobile for storage and repairs.

From Project Gutenberg

A vendor or seller of property, may have for the money he is to receive a lien, which is nearly the same thing as a mortgage.

From Project Gutenberg

A subsequent purchaser would be affected by this lien, however innocent he might be of its existence.

From Project Gutenberg