A legal claim or hold on property as security for a debt or obligation. The lien gives the creditor the right to take possession of the property if the debt is not paid.
From French 'lien' meaning 'bond' or 'tie,' derived from Latin 'ligamen' (that which binds). The legal meaning developed in medieval French law to describe the binding relationship between creditor and debtor's property.
Your mechanic can literally own part of your car! If you don't pay for repairs, they can file a mechanic's lien and legally keep your vehicle until you settle the bill - it's like legal hostage-taking for unpaid debts.
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