attorned; attorning; attorns

intransitive verb

: to agree to be tenant to a new owner or landlord of the same property

Word History

Etymology

Middle English attournen, from Anglo-French aturner to prepare, designate, attorn, from a- (from Latin ad-) + turner to turn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of attorn was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Attorn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/attorn. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

Legal Definition

attorn

intransitive verb
: to agree to be the tenant of a new landlord or owner of the same property
attornment noun
Etymology

Anglo-French aturner to transfer (allegiance of a tenant to another lord), from Old French atorner to turn (to), arrange, from a- to + torner to turn

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