Eloiners

/ɪˈloɪnərz/ noun

Definition

People who move something away or hide it, especially illegally or to avoid a court order.

Etymology

From 'eloiner,' derived from Old French 'esloigner' meaning 'to remove to a distance,' combining 'es-' (out) and 'loign' (far). The term became specialized in English law for those who concealed property or fled with goods.

Kelly Says

This is a medieval legal term that shows how English borrowed French vocabulary during the Norman period—eloining was such a common problem that authorities needed specific words for the people who did it!

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