attainder

US /əˈteɪndɚ/ UK /əˈteɪndə/ See IPA manual

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Meanings

1

noun
the legal forfeiture of rights and property following a sentence of death or outlawry

The act of attainder stripped the rebel lord of his lands and title.

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Etymology

From Anglo-Norman atteindre, the noun use of the Old French infinitive ('to convict, attain'), from Vulgar Latin attangere, from Latin attingere ('to touch, reach'), from ad- ('to') + tangere ('to touch'); the spelling and sense were influenced by association with taint.

attingere Latin tangere Latin

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# attainder

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2+
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /əˈteɪndɚ/
**IPA (UK):** /əˈteɪndə/

## Meanings
1. the legal forfeiture of rights and property following a sentence of death or outlawry

## Examples
- The act of attainder stripped the rebel lord of his lands and title.

## Synonyms
- forfeiture
- condemnation
- outlawry

## Antonyms
- acquittal
- pardon

## Related Forms
- attaint
- attainture
- attaintment
- taint

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: attingere
- Root: tangere

## Etymology
From Anglo-Norman atteindre, the noun use of the Old French infinitive ('to convict, attain'), from Vulgar Latin attangere, from Latin attingere ('to touch, reach'), from ad- ('to') + tangere ('to touch'); the spelling and sense were influenced by association with taint.

## AI Etymology
Attainder is a noun meaning "the legal forfeiture of rights and property following a sentence of death or outlawry". Historically, it is from Anglo-Norman atteindre, the noun use of the Old French infinitive ('to convict, attain'), from Vulgar Latin attangere, from Latin attingere ('to touch, reach'), from ad- ('to') + tangere ('to touch'); the spelling and sense were influenced by association with taint. The visible construction is part of the etymology: attainder is not just an unanalyzed simple word. The semantic history matters here: the earlier use is the starting point, and the modern sense, "the legal forfeiture of rights and property following a sentence of death or outlawry", is the later or specialized English value. The historical chain links Latin attingere with Latin tangere. Close English family members include attaint, attainture, attaintment, and taint.

## Topics
- Grammar & Function Words
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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