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

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

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, No. 359, September 1845 by Various

In this and the earlier instances of loss by theft, the action was detinue, counting, we may presume, simply on a delivery and wrongful detainer.

From The Common Law by Holmes, Oliver Wendell

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

From Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, No. 359, September 1845 by Various

The Chancellor took jurisdiction of cases of debt, detinue, and account which had been decided in other courts with oathhelping by the defendant.

From Our Legal Heritage by Reilly, S. A.

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 Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 58, No. 359, September 1845 by Various