Attainture is a term that is not commonly used in everyday language. It is a legal term that has its roots in medieval English law. Despite its obscurity, attainture is an important concept that has had a significant impact on the development of modern legal systems. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of attainture, its origin, and its associations.
Definitions
Attainture is a legal term that refers to the loss of a person’s legal status or the loss of their rights as a result of a conviction for a crime. It can also refer to the act of convicting someone of a crime. In medieval English law, attainture was used to describe the process by which a jury could be challenged or disqualified if they were found to have given a false verdict.
Origin
The term attainture comes from the Old French word “ataindre,” which means “to attain” or “to reach.” It was first used in medieval English law in the 12th century and was initially used to describe the process by which a person’s property could be seized by the king if they were found guilty of a crime.
Meaning in different dictionaries
The meaning of attainture can vary slightly depending on the dictionary consulted. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “the loss of legal rights or status as a result of conviction for a crime.” Merriam-Webster defines it as “the loss of reputation or standing resulting from a criminal conviction.” The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “the act of finding someone guilty of a crime.”
Associations
Attainture is closely associated with medieval English law and the legal system of that time. It was used to describe the process by which a jury could be challenged or disqualified if they were found to have given a false verdict. It was also used to describe the loss of a person’s legal status or rights as a result of a conviction for a crime. Today, attainture is not commonly used in modern legal systems.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for attainture, including conviction, disqualification, disbarment, and forfeiture. These terms all describe the loss of legal status or rights as a result of a criminal conviction.
Antonyms
The antonyms of attainture are acquittal, exoneration, and vindication. These terms describe the process by which a person is found not guilty of a crime and their legal status and rights are restored.
The same root words
The word attainture shares its root with several other words, including attain, attainment, and attainder. These words all come from the Old French word “ataindre,” which means “to attain” or “to reach.”
Example Sentences
- The attainture of his conviction meant that he could no longer practice law.
- The jury was challenged on the grounds of attainture, and a new jury was selected.
- The attainture of his reputation was a result of his criminal conviction.
- The attainture of his property was a punishment for his crime.
- The attainture of his legal rights meant that he could no longer vote or hold public office.