replevin
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /rɪˈplɛvɪn/
KK: /rɪˈplɛvɪn/
noun
Definition
A legal action to recover personal property that has been taken unlawfully, allowing the owner to reclaim their goods through a court process.
Example
The company filed a replevin to get back the equipment that was wrongfully taken from them.
Conversation
I heard he’s trying to get his bike back using replevin laws.
That sounds complicated! How does that even work?
Basically, it’s a way to recover property that was wrongfully taken.
Interesting! I didn’t know you could do that for a bike.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
recovery
repossession
retrieval
Antonyms
forfeiture
loss
abandonment
transitive verb
Definition
To recover or reclaim goods that have been wrongfully taken or detained, usually through a legal process.
Example
The farmer filed a replevin to get back his stolen tractor.
Tense Forms
Past: replevied
Past Participle: replevied
Conversation
Have you ever heard of someone trying to replevin their lost items?
Yeah, I think it's a legal way to get your stuff back, right?
Exactly! I read about a case where someone had to replevin their stolen bike.
Root Explanation
Replevin is derived from the Latin 'replevin' (meaning to recover or reclaim). The term is used in legal contexts to refer to the recovery of goods that have been wrongfully taken or detained. The prefix 're-' (meaning again) combined with 'plevin' (from 'pleviner', meaning to pledge or to recover) indicates the act of reclaiming or recovering possession of property.
Memory Tip
Think of 're-' meaning again and 'plevin' relating to recovering something — this helps you remember that replevin is about reclaiming goods that were wrongfully taken.
Visually Confused Words
relieving
unreplevined