Definition

An item of personal property that can be moved, such as furniture or livestock, but not including real estate like land or buildings.

Example

The farmer sold his chattel at the market to make some extra money.

Conversation

I was reading about how some cultures used to treat people as chattel.

That's really disturbing to think about, isn't it?

Yeah, it makes you appreciate our rights today even more.

Absolutely, we should never take our freedom for granted.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Chattel originates from Old French 'chatel' (meaning property or goods), which itself comes from Latin 'capitale' (meaning property or wealth). The term refers to personal property or possessions, particularly in the context of movable goods.

Memory Tip

Think of 'chatel' as referring to 'property' or 'goods' — that's why chattel means personal possessions.

Visually Confused Words