attainder

American  

[uh-teyn-der] / əˈteɪn dər /

noun

1. the legal consequence of judgment of death or outlawry for treason or felony, involving the loss of all civil rights.

2. Obsolete. dishonor.

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attainder British  

/ əˈteɪndə /

noun

1. (formerly) the extinction of a person's civil rights resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry on conviction for treason or felony See also bill of attainder

2. obsolete dishonour

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Etymology

Origin of attainder

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English attaynder, atteindor, noun use of Old French ataindre, ateindre “to attain, touch (upon), affect, convict”; see origin at attain

Example Sentences

And the Supreme Court may not see this law as a bill of attainder either.

From Slate • Jul. 29, 2025

That is the process the bill of attainder tells us is the appropriate one for investigation, prosecution, and punishment, with all of the attributes of that branch.

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2023

Like the federal government, the states cannot violate personal freedoms by suspending the writ of habeas corpus, passing bills of attainder, or enacting ex post facto laws.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

A bill of attainder is an unconstitutional legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

From Fox News • Apr. 8, 2019

Besides escheat for defect of heirs, there was formerly also escheat propter delictum tenentis, or by the corruption of the blood of the tenant through attainder consequent on conviction and sentence for treason or felony.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 7 "Equation" to "Ethics" by Various