Attorn

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Attorn \At*torn"\, v. i. [OF. atorner, aturner, atourner, to
     direct, prepare, dispose, attorn (cf. OE. atornen to return,
     adorn); [`a] (L. ad) + torner to turn; cf. LL. attornare to
     commit business to another, to attorn; ad + tornare to turn,
     L. tornare to turn in a lathe, to round off. See {Turn}, v.
     t.]


     1. (Feudal Law) To turn, or transfer homage and service, from
        one lord to another. This is the act of feudatories,
        vassals, or tenants, upon the alienation of the estate.
        --Blackstone.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Modern Law) To agree to become tenant to one to whom
        reversion has been granted.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  attorn
       v : acknowledge a new land owner as one's landlord; "he was
           attorned by the tenants"