attorn

[uh-turn]

verb (used without object)

1. to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.

verb (used with object)

1. to turn over to another; transfer.

attorn

/ əˈtɜːn /

verb

1. law to acknowledge a new owner of land as one's landlord

2. feudal history to transfer allegiance or do homage to a new lord

Other Word Forms

• attornment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of attorn¹

1425–75; late Middle English attournen < Anglo-French attourner, Old French atourner to turn over to. See at-, turn

Word History and Origins

Origin of attorn¹

C15: from Old French atourner to direct to, from tourner to _turn

Example Sentences

The tenants on the land had all long ago attorned to them, father and son, from time out of mind, paying rent regularly.

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But he hankered after his elder Brother’s Estate, and, on his Death, suddenly got the Tenants to attorn to him, and basely dispossessed his Nephew.

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When the Gaelic League decided to make the learning of Irish compulsory, it attorned to this tyranny.

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A strong advocate of Repeal and tenant-right, he gradually attorned to the Young Irelanders when he discovered that the Whig Government had bought up Conciliation Hall.

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The Judge on the bench he looked awfully stern; The District Attorney began to attorn; The witnesses lied and the lawyers—O my!—

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