detinue

(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

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

See detinue in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
Law
  1. a. An action to recover possession or the value of property wrongfully detained.
    b. The writ authorizing such action.
  2. The act of unlawfully detaining personal property.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English detenue

Origin: , from Old French, detention

Origin: , from

Origin: feminine past participle of detenir, to detain; see detain

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