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.
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
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
The denial of the power to pass bills of attainder is both a protection of individual freedom and one of the Constitution’s several provisions for separation of powers.
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
Henry IV. eventually claimed the little isle, and disposed of it to the Earl of Northumberland, but upon this famous nobleman’s attainder it went to Sir John de Stanley.
From Legal Lore Curiosities of Law and Lawyers by Various
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
