noun
attachment
The legal seizure of property by court order.
The judge orders the attachment of property to secure the unpaid debt.
Etymology
Old French atachier meant to fasten. Legal attachment figuratively binds property to a proceeding, placing it under legal control so it cannot be freely disposed of.
More examples
- The company challenged the attachment in court.
- An attachment can prevent a debtor from disposing of specified assets.
- The lawyer reviewed the rules governing property attachments.
Forms
attachment · attachments
Similar words
- seizure
- Is broader and need not secure a civil debt.
- garnishment
- Usually targets money held by someone else, such as wages.