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detinue

American  
[det-n-oo, -yoo] / ˈdɛt nˌu, -ˈju /

noun

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


detinue British  
/ ˈdɛtɪˌnjuː /

noun

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Trover gradually supplants detinue, in which there is compurgation.

From Our Legal Heritage : 600-1776 King Aethelbert - King George III by S. A. Reilly

I would have you in trover; in detinue; I would send your loving friend Richard Roe to you.

From The Adventures of Hugh Trevor by Thomas Holcroft

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

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

Debt, exclusive of interest, not exceeding $100; fines, damages, etc., not exceeding $20; have jurisdiction of certain cases of unlawful entry and detainer, detinue, and search; may allow bail in certain cases.

From Civil Government of Virginia by William Fayette Fox

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

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