replevin

1 of 2

noun

re·​plev·​in ri-ˈple-vən 

law

: an action originating in common law and now largely codified by which a plaintiff having a right in personal property which is claimed to be wrongfully taken or detained by the defendant seeks to recover possession of the property and sometimes to obtain damages for the wrongful detention

also : a procedure allowing the plaintiff as a provisional remedy to take possession of the property prior to a judgment on the action

replevin

2 of 2

verb

replevined; replevining; replevins

transitive verb

: replevy

Examples of replevin in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

After Friedman made a passing reference to a replevin action, Hamilton was asked to define it. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2024

They are represented by lawyer Timothy J. Conlon, who is also representing other former students in a complaint and writ of replevin against Thomas in Washington County Superior Court. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 27 May 2022

The subpoenas, which were filed in court Wednesday, precede a hearing on Friday on a civil complaint and a motion for a writ of replevin against Thomas before Judge Sarah Taft-Carter in Washington County Superior Court. —Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 1 Dec. 2021

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French replevyn, replevyne, from replevir "to vow, pledge, release by giving surety" (from re- re- + plevir "to give as surety, promise, swear," going back, with conjugation change, to early Medieval Latin plebere "to give surety") + -yn, -yne, going back to Latin -īna, deverbal suffix, noun derivative from feminine of -īnus -ine entry 1 — more at pledge entry 1

Verb

derivative of replevin entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1678, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

replevin

1 of 2 noun

re·​plev·​in ri-ˈple-vən 

: an action originating in common law and now largely codified by which a plaintiff having a right in personal property claimed to be wrongfully taken or detained by the defendant seeks to recover possession of the property and sometimes to obtain damages for the wrongful detention

also : a procedure allowing the plaintiff as a provisional remedy to take possession of the property prior to judgment on the action

Note: Under section 2-716 of the Uniform Commercial Code, a buyer who is a party to a contract that has been breached by the seller has a right of replevin for goods that are identified to the contract if cover cannot reasonably be effected.

replevin

2 of 2 transitive verb

: replevy

Etymology

Noun

Anglo-French replevine, from replevir to give security, from Old French, to give security for, from re- back + plevir to pledge