attorn

verb

at·​torn ə-ˈtərn How to pronounce attorn (audio)
attorned; attorning; attorns

intransitive verb

: to agree to be tenant to a new owner or landlord of the same property
attornment noun

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attournen, from Anglo-French aturner to prepare, designate, attorn, from a- (from Latin ad-) + turner to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attorn was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near attorn

Cite this Entry

“Attorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorn. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

attorn

intransitive verb
at·​torn ə-ˈtərn How to pronounce attorn (audio)
: to agree to be the tenant of a new landlord or owner of the same property
attornment noun
Etymology

Anglo-French aturner to transfer (allegiance of a tenant to another lord), from Old French atorner to turn (to), arrange, from a- to + torner to turn

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!