detinue
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Related to detinue: writ of detinue
det·i·nue
(dĕt′n-o͞o′, -yo͞o′)n. Law
1.
a. An action to recover possession or the value of property wrongfully detained.
b. The writ authorizing such action.
2. The act of unlawfully detaining personal property.
[Middle English detenue, from Old French, detention, from feminine past participle of detenir, to detain; see detain.]
detinue
(ˈdɛtɪˌnjuː)n
(Law) law an action brought by a plaintiff to recover goods wrongfully detained
[C15: from Old French detenue, from detenir to detain]
det•i•nue
(ˈdɛt nˌu, -ˈyu)n.
(in common law) an action to recover personal property wrongfully detained.
[1425–75; late Middle English detenu < Anglo-French detenue, detinue detention, orig. feminine past participle of detenir to detain]