attainder
UK[əˈteɪndə]US[əˈteɪndər]
n
the extinction of a person's civil rights resulting from a sentence of death or outlawry on conviction for treason or a felony.
n
a dishonour or disgrace accompanying the loss of such rights.
Morpheme Breakdown
at
tain
der
at
to, towards
tain
to hold
der
Etymology
the word 'attainder' entered english from anglo-norman french 'attaindre', meaning 'to convict, condemn'. this itself derives from the latin verb 'attingere', a compound of 'ad-' ('to') and 'tangere' ('to touch'), which evolved in vulgar latin to 'attangere' and later in old french to 'ataindre', taking on the legal sense of 'to attain' or convict. the '-der' suffix is a common noun-forming ending in old french, creating a term for the legal state or consequence of being 'attainted' or convicted. thus, the literal progression is from the physical idea of 'touching upon' or 'reaching' to the legal abstraction of a conviction that 'touches' and extinguishes a person's civil status.
Analysis
Structure: at + tain + der
at- (latin ad-, meaning 'to, towards'), tain (old french, from latin tenēre, meaning 'to hold'), -der (old french -dre, a noun-forming suffix).
Examples
the act of attainder was often used by parliament to bypass the courts and condemn individuals for treason.
with his attainder, he forfeited his titles and all his lands to the crown.
the bill of attainder is prohibited by the u.s. constitution as a legislative act declaring guilt without trial.