chattel

noun

chat·​tel ˈcha-tᵊl How to pronounce chattel (audio)
plural chattels
1
: an item of tangible movable or immovable property except real estate and things (such as buildings) connected with real property
These statutes do not apply to personal property; for chattels, an oral statement of donative intent plus delivery still suffices.William M. McGovern, Jr. et al.
sometimes used as a mass noun
The program takes advantage of a New Hampshire law that requires all manufactured homes … to be titled as real property instead of chattel, said Patrick McCarthy, Fannie Mae vice president for community lending.Brad Finkelstein
2
: an enslaved person held as the legal property of another : bondman
He had struck down my personality, had subjected me to his will, made property of my body and soul, reduced me to a chattelFrederick Douglass
Some, most notably the Quakers, hoped that moral suasion would convince slaveholders to free their chattels.Mary Beth Norton et al.
often used as a mass noun
… [George] Washington is tainted by our country's original sin: slavery. He owned other human beings as chattel.Robert Schlesinger
Ultimately, the book illuminates both the tragedy of holding human chattel and the corruption that flows from such inhumanity.Melba Newsome
see also chattel slavery

Examples of chattel in a Sentence

an amendment to end the keeping of humans as chattel packed up all her chattels and moved to a new state
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This led to the development of a particular type of housing structure known as chattel houses in countries such as Barbados. Farah Nibbs, The Conversation, 22 Oct. 2024 According to a jury verdict form dated Sept. 19, 2024, Campus Advantage was found liable for the conversion of chattels of Postell's property and for breach of contract with Postell. Kimberlee Speakman, People.com, 2 Oct. 2024 Bottles are taxed under the more generous capital gains tax regime for chattels, while casks are widely considered a wasting asset and are currently entirely free from capital gains tax. Mark Littler, Forbes, 30 Sep. 2024 In addition to the count for injunctive relief — which was filed against all the defendants — counts of conversion, trespass to chattel and battery were filed against Belanski. Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chattel 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English chatel "movable possession," often in plural chateles, chateus, borrowed from Anglo-French chatel "property, goods, wealth" (also continental Old French), going back to Medieval Latin capitāle "movable property, riches," noun derivative from neuter of capitālis "of the head, chief, principal" — more at capital entry 1

Note: Compare cattle, and see also note at the etymology of capital entry 2.

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chattel was in 1549

Dictionary Entries Near chattel

Cite this Entry

“Chattel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chattel. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

chattel

noun
chat·​tel ˈchat-ᵊl How to pronounce chattel (audio)
1
: a piece of property (as animals, money, or goods) other than real estate
2
: an enslaved person held as the legal property of another

Legal Definition

chattel

noun
chat·​tel ˈchat-ᵊl How to pronounce chattel (audio)
: an item of tangible or intangible personal property
especially : chattel personal in this entry

Note: In some jurisdictions the term chattel is restricted to items of tangible and movable personal property. Other jurisdictions also classify intangible assets and property items as chattels.

chattel personal plural chattels personal
: an item of tangible movable personal property (as livestock or an automobile) that is not permanently connected with real estate
chattel real plural chattels real
: an interest (as a leasehold or profit a prendre) in an item of immovable property (as land or a building) that is less than a freehold estate compare fixture

Note: Interests that are considered chattels real have been treated by the common law as personal property despite being interests in real property.

Etymology

Old French chatel goods, property, from Medieval Latin capitale, from neuter of capitalis chief, principal see capital

More from Merriam-Webster on chattel

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