Word Study
lien
CIDE DICTIONARY
lien,
A charge, lien, etc., that successively attaches to such assets as a person may have from time to time, leaving him more or less free to dispose of or encumber them as if no such charge or lien existed.
lien, n. [F. lien band, bond, tie, fr. L. ligamen, fr. ligare to bind. Cf. League a union, Leam a string, Leamer, Ligament.].
A legal claim; a charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty; a right in one to control or hold and retain the property of another until some claim of the former is paid or satisfied. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
lien, n. Law a right over another's property to protect a debt charged on that property.
Etymology
F f. OF loien f. L ligamen bond f. ligare bind
THESAURUS
lien
adjustment mortgage, antichresis, blanket mortgage, bottomry, bottomry bond, chattel mortgage, closed mortgage, common-law lien, dead pledge, deed of trust, first mortgage, general lien, hypothec, hypothecation, installment mortgage, judgment lien, leasehold mortgage, living pledge, mortgage, mortgage bond, mortgage deed, mortuum vadium, participating mortgage, particular lien, pignus judiciale, pignus legale, second mortgage, security agreement, statutory lien, tax lien, third mortgage, trust mortgage, vadium mortuum, vadium vivumROGET THESAURUS
lien
Security
N security, guaranty, guarantee, gage, warranty, bond, tie, pledge, plight, mortgage, collateral, debenture, hypothecation, bill of sale, lien, pawn, pignoration, real security, vadium, stake, deposit, earnest, handsel, caution, promissory note, bill, bill of exchange, I, O, U, personal security, covenant, specialty, parole, acceptance, indorsement, signature, execution, stamp, seal, sponsor, cosponsor, sponsion, sponsorship, surety, bail, mainpernor, hostage, godchild, godfather, godmother, recognizance, deed of indemnity, covenant of indemnity, authentication, verification, warrant, certificate, voucher, docket, doquet, record, probate, attested copy, receipt, acquittance, quittance, discharge, release, muniment, title deed, instrument, deed, deed poll, assurance, indenture, charter, charter poll, paper, parchment, settlement, will, testament, last will and testament, codicil, bonis avibus, gone where the woodbine twineth.Credit
N credit, trust, tick, score, tally, account, letter of credit, circular note, duplicate, mortgage, lien, debenture, paper credit, floating capital, draft, lettre de creance, securities, creditor, lender, lessor, mortgagee, dun, usurer, credit account, line of credit, open line of credit, credit card, crediting, credited, accredited, on credit, on account, to the account of, to the credit of, a compte.For further exploring for "lien" in Webster Dictionary Online