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

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

A bill of attainder is a law that convicts or punishes someone for a crime without a trial, a tactic used fairly frequently in England against the king’s enemies.

From Textbooks • Jul. 28, 2021

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

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 marched with his forces against London, gave law to the king and parliament, and procured a sentence of attainder and perpetual exile against Hugh le Despenser.

From The History of the Knights Templars, the Temple Church, and the Temple by Addison, Charles G.