detinue Hear it!

detinue definition

deti·nue (det′'n yo̵̅o̅′, -'n o̵̅o̅′)

noun

  1. the unlawful detention of personal property which originally was rightfully acquired
  2. an action or writ for the recovery of property unlawfully detained, as in a pawnshop

Etymology: ME < OFr, fem. pp. of detenir: see detain

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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