to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.
verb (used with object)
2.
to turn over to another; transfer.
Origin
1425-75;late Middle Englishattournen < Anglo-Frenchattourner,Old Frenchatourner to turn over to. See at-, turn
Related forms
attornment, noun
British Dictionary definitions for attorn
attorn
/əˈtɜːn/
verb (intransitive)
1.
(law) to acknowledge a new owner of land as one's landlord
2.
(feudal history) to transfer allegiance or do homage to a new lord
Derived Forms
attornment, noun
Word Origin
C15: from Old French atourner to direct to, from tourner to turn
Word Origin and History for attorn
v.
late 13c., Anglo-French, "to turn over to another," from Old French atorner "to turn, turn to, assign, attribute, dispose," from a- "to" + tourner "to turn" (see turn (v.)). In feudal law, "to transfer homage or allegiance to another lord."