replevin

re·plev·in   (rĭ-plěv'ĭn)    n.   An action to recover personal property said or claimed to be unlawfully taken. The writ or procedure of such an action. tr.v.   re·plev·ined, re·plev·in·ing, re·plev·ines To replevy. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman replevine, from replevir, to give as a security : re-, re- + plevir, to pledge (from Late Latin plebere, of Germanic origin; see dlegh- in Indo-European roots).]

replevin 

Main Entry: re·plev·in
Pronunciation: ri-'ple-v&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French replevine, from replevir to give security, from Old French, to give security for, from re- back + plevir to pledge
: an action originating in common law and now largely codified by which a plaintiff having a right in personal property claimed to be wrongfully taken or detained by the defendant seeks to recover possession of the property and sometimes to obtain damages for the wrongful detention; also : a procedure allowing the plaintiff as a provisional remedy to take possession of the property prior to judgment on the action
NOTE: Under section 2-716 of the Uniform Commercial Code, a buyer who is a party to a contract that has been breached by the seller has a right of replevin for goods that are identified to the contract if cover cannot reasonably be effected.

replevin

a form of lawsuit in common-law countries, such as England, Commonwealth countries, and the United States, for return of personal property wrongfully taken and for compensation for resulting loss. Replevin is one of the oldest legal actions, dating to the 14th century. It is now called "claim and delivery."

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