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”; 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 an unconstitutional legislative act that singles out an individual or group for punishment without a trial.

From Fox News • Apr. 8, 2019

There are two other constitutional questions: First, the Constitution prohibits bills of attainder, laws that target specific individuals.

From Slate • Apr. 17, 2018

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

Under the common law, conviction and attainder on indictment for treason or felony was followed not only by forfeiture of the life of the offender, but also by forfeiture of his lands and goods.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 6 "Foraminifera" to "Fox, Edward" by Various