chattel

chat·tel

noun \ˈcha-t^əl\

Definition of CHATTEL

1

: an item of tangible movable or immovable property except real estate and things (as buildings) connected with real property

2

: slave, bondman

Examples of CHATTEL

1. <at one time, the children of black slaves were also considered chattel>
2. <packed up all her chattels and moved to a new state>

Origin of CHATTEL

Middle English chatel property, from Anglo-French — more at cattle

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHATTEL

Synonyms: bondman (also bondsman), slave, thrall

Antonyms: freeman

Related Words: bondwoman (also bondswoman), odalisque; helot, serf; bond servant, indentured servant; attendant, domestic, drudge, handmaiden (also handmaid), lackey, menial, servant, slavey

Near Antonyms: freedman, freedwoman; enslaver, slave driver, slaveholder, slaver; master, taskmaster

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Legal Terms

actionable, alienable, carceral, complicity, decedent, larceny, malfeasance, modus operandi

Rhymes with CHATTEL

battle, brattle, cattle, prattle, rattle, tattle