replevin

UK: /rɪˈplɛvɪn/ US: (ri plev′in)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

re•plev•in  (ri plev′in), [Law.]
n. 

1. Law an action for the recovery of goods or chattels wrongfully taken or detained.
2. Law the common-law action or writ by which goods are replevied.

v.t. 

3. Law to replevy.

• Anglo-French, derivative of replevir to bail out, admit to bail, Old French. See re-, pledge
• Middle English 1300–50

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

replevin / rɪˈplɛvɪn/ noun

1. the recovery of goods unlawfully taken, made subject to establishing the validity of the recovery in a legal action and returning the goods if the decision is adverse
2. (formerly) a writ of replevin

verb

1. another word for replevy

Etymology: 15th Century: from Anglo-French, from Old French replevir to give security for, from re- + plevir to pledge