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.
And the Supreme Court may not see this law as a bill of attainder either.
From Slate • Jul. 29, 2025
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
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
The close of this session was marked by vehement debates in both Houses on the Bill for the attainder of Sir John Fenwick.
From William the Third by Traill, H. D. (Henry Duff)
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.
