trover

American  

[troh-ver] / ˈtroʊ vər /

noun

Law.

1. an action for the recovery of the value of personal property that another person wrongfully converted to their own use.

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trover British  

/ ˈtrəʊvə /

noun

1. law (formerly) the act of wrongfully assuming proprietary rights over personal goods or property belonging to another

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Etymology

Origin of trover

First recorded in 1585–95; from Middle French, Old French: “to find,” probably from unattested Vulgar Latin tropāre “to compose, invent,” derivative of Latin tropus trope; cf. contrive

Example Sentences

So if the end of the world has happened, you have a trover of information to help you rebuild a post-apocalyptic society.

From Slate • Mar. 21, 2022

The civil suit of trespass on the case has now branched into assumpsit, trover, deceit, negligence, and libel and slander.

From Our Legal Heritage, 5th Ed. by Reilly, S. A.

Against thee I my suit have brought,   I am thy plaintiff lover, And for the heart that thou hast caught,   An action lies—of trover.

From The Humorous Poetry of the English Language; from Chaucer to Saxe by Parton, James

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

The declaration was trover for the books of record, original charter, common seal, and other corporate property of the College.

From The Great Speeches and Orations of Daniel Webster With an Essay on Daniel Webster as a Master of English Style by Webster, Daniel