detinue

American  

[det-n-oo, -yoo] / ˈdɛt nˌu, -ˈyu /

noun

Law.

1. an old commonlaw form of action to recover possession of personal property wrongfully detained.

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detinue British  

/ ˈdɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

1. law an action brought by a plaintiff to recover goods wrongfully detained

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Etymology

Origin of detinue

1425–75; late Middle English detenu < Anglo-French detenue, detinue detention, originally feminine past participle of detenir to detain

Example Sentences

No more questions, like the one on Virginia’s recent exam, about how to use a local rule called “detinue” to recover Colonel Riles E. Plumlee’s ceremonial sword.

From Slate

The action of detinue lies where the party claims the specific recovery of goods and chattels, or deeds and writings detained from him.

From Project Gutenberg

Of personal actions, the most common are the following—Debt, covenant, detinue, trespass, trespass on the case, replevin.

From Project Gutenberg

The action of trover differs from detinue inasmuch as the party claims damages, not the recovery of the identical goods and chattels.

From Project Gutenberg

The names of trover, detinue, trespass, give no information to the defendant; the substantial cause of action is stated in the declaration, and these names are mere useless additions.

From Project Gutenberg