attorn

American  

[uh-turn] / əˈtɜrn /

verb (used without object)

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to turn over to another; transfer.

attorn British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• attornment noun

Etymology

Origin of attorn

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg