replevy

1 of 2

noun

re·​plevy ri-ˈple-vē 

plural replevies

: replevin

replevy

2 of 2

verb

replevied; replevying

transitive verb

: to take or get back by a writ for replevin

repleviable

ri-ˈple-vē-ə-bəl 

adjective

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, perhaps borrowed, with loss of final consonant, from Anglo-French replevir "replevin," noun derivative of replevir "to vow, pledge, release by giving surety" — more at replevin entry 1

Note: Alternatively, replevy may be formed by suffix substitution from replevin (with -y entry 2). The conjecture that replevy is a noun derivative of the past participle of replevir seems less likely.

Verb

derivative of replevy entry 1

First Known Use

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

replevy

1 of 2 noun

re·​plevy ri-ˈple-vē 

plural replevies

: replevin

replevy

2 of 2 transitive verb

replevied; replevying

: to take or get back by replevin

repleviable

ri-ˈple-vē-ə-bəl 

adjective

Etymology

Transitive verb

probably from Anglo-French replevi, past participle of replevir to give security, from Old French, to give security for, from re- back + plevir to pledge