English dictionary
withernam
Definitions, examples, synonyms and antonyms from WordNet 3.0.
noun
-
A second or reciprocal distress of other goods in lieu of goods which were taken by a first distress and have been eloigned; a taking by way of reprisal; -- chiefly used in the expression <i>capias in withernam</i>, which is the name of a writ used in connection with the action of replevin (sometimes called a <i>writ of reprisal</i>), which issues to a defendant in replevin when he has obtained judgment for a return of the chattels replevied, and fails to obtain them on the <i>writ of return</i>.
Source: webster1913