attainder
Americannoun
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the legal consequence of judgment of death or outlawry for treason or felony, involving the loss of all civil rights.
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Obsolete. dishonor.
noun
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(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
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obsolete dishonour
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
Vocabulary lists containing attainder
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Judge Talwani still saw the law as a bill of attainder.
From Slate • Jul. 29, 2025
And as for a retroactive attainder aimed at the descendants of slave owners, that one is pretty tricky, too.
From Fox News • Aug. 19, 2019
A bill of attainder is a legislative act that provides for the punishment of a person without a court trial.
From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2016
Their employing agencies complied with this direction even though it seemed in conflict with the Constitution's prohibition on "bills of attainder."
From Slate • Feb. 28, 2011
He signalized himself by a powerful speech in opposition to the bill of attainder against Wolsey which had already passed the Lords.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 7 "Crocoite" to "Cuba" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
