Attainder is a legal term that is often used in the context of criminal law. It is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language, and many people may not be familiar with its meaning or definition. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of attainder, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Attainder is a legal term that refers to the punishment of a person for a crime. It is a form of punishment that involves the forfeiture of a person’s property and rights, as well as the loss of their life. Attainder is often used in the context of treason or other serious crimes against the state.
Origin
The term attainder has its roots in medieval English law. It was originally used to refer to the forfeiture of a person’s property and rights after they had been convicted of a serious crime. The term was later expanded to include the loss of life as well.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, attainder is defined as “the forfeiture of a person’s civil rights and property as a consequence of a sentence of death or outlawry for treason or felony.” Merriam-Webster defines attainder as “the act of attainting, the state of being attainted; the extinction of a person’s civil rights and capacities resulting from sentence of death or outlawry usually for treason or felony and corruption of blood.”
Associations
Attainder is often associated with medieval English law and the punishment of serious crimes against the state. It is also associated with the concept of corruption of blood, which means that the family members of a person who has been attainted may also be affected by the punishment.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of attainder include conviction, condemnation, and sentence.
Antonyms
Some antonyms of attainder include acquittal, exoneration, and vindication.
The same root words
The root words of attainder are attaint and attain. Attaint means to convict or accuse, while attain means to achieve or obtain.
Example Sentences
- The king ordered the attainder of the traitor, resulting in the forfeiture of his property and the loss of his life.
- The corruption of blood that resulted from the attainder of the nobleman had far-reaching consequences for his family.
- The accused was able to avoid attainder by providing evidence that proved his innocence.