n.
Pronunciation: ' l ē n, ' l ē - ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Anglo-French lien, loyen bond, restraint, from Latin ligamen, from ligare to bind ― more at LIGATURE
Date: 1531
1 : a charge upon real or personal property for the satisfaction of some debt or duty ordinarily arising by operation of law
2 : the security interest created by a mortgage