detinue

[det-n-oo, -yoo]

noun

Law.

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

detinue

/ ˈdɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detinue¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of detinue¹

C15: from Old French detenue, from 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.

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

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

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

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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.

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